held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, joined leader after 6th, led 9th, jumped right and headed 12th, soon under pressure and weakened
held up towards rear, reminders 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up 12th
disputed lead until led 6th, headed 9th, led again 12th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, 5 lengths down 2nd last, rallied and stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
disputed lead until mistake and lost place 6th, soon weakened, pulled up 10th
held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, led 3 out, soon clear, ridden and under pressure before last, headed and no extra close home
Helen Wood could be the answer in a tricky heat although cases can be made for all of Thunder Rock, Gods Token and The Duke's Speech. The Duke's Speech may just need this first run since May so he is passed over as is Gods Token as he was far from fluent at Uttoxeter last time. That said, his confidence may have taken a knock following a fall on debut and he'll be better suited by this trip so it wouldn't be a complete surprise if he fenced better today. Thunder Rock was also a shade novicey at Ludlow but he did it well enough in the end and that form looks solid; however, the concession of 12lbs to Helen Wood could be beyond him. She was just a plater on the level but has gone from strength to strength over obstacles and posted a career best last month. She has jumped well on both occasions and could make them all work if allowed to bowl along at the head of affairs. She has plenty in her favour so Helen Wood gets our vote.
Pseudonym (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 10th, headed 12th, weakened 2 out, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Bonchester Bridge (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 17-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, led 2 out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov beating Nikola (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Etendard Indien (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened, last of 10, 34l behind Croon (10-12) at Ludlow 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Gods Token 11-4fav (11-0) Led until 2nd, led again 6th, headed 3 out, rallied approaching last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Oceanos des Obeaux (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Present Oriented (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Led to 6th, remained close up, pushed along 13th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 8, 15l behind Victory Gunner (10-10) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
The Duke's Speech (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 6th, weakened soon after, 10th of 12, 27l behind Pearl King (10-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Helen Wood 9-4fav (10-6) Mid-division, headway 10th, chased leader approaching 4 out, ridden to dispute lead 4 out, led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Dec beating Strawberry (10-12) by 6l, 12 ran.
