keen and held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, progress to chase winner 5th until after next, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat
tracked leaders, jumped right 3rd, ridden 6th, weakened and hit next
in rear, some headway 2 out, never on terms
made all, ridden and joined last, stayed on gamely
tracked winner until 5th, soon weakened
tracked leaders, hit 4th and lost place, headway to chase winner after 6th until approaching 2 out, 3rd and close enough when blundered last, driven and stayed on
keen and held up, headway to track leaders 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, joined winner when hit last and lost 2 places
in rear, never on terms
Lyn Siddall's Prize Fighter is the only course winner in the field but he is hard to fancy on recent form and a better bet looks to be CHESHIRE PRINCE, who gets the vote with Noticeable looking the pick of the remainder. The selection ran better than expected when a close up fifth behind Qaspal in the Imperial Cup on Saturday and a reproduction of the form shown that day should be more than enough to see Neil King's gelding resume winning ways here. Alan Fleming's Lindy Lou is relatively unexposed after just six starts over hurdles and has gone well over timber, winning at Folkestone and three times finding just the one too good but he is likely to have to settle for minor honours at best again. Pam Sly's Bedizen was well held when last seen in December and looks best watched, while Benedict Spirit has shown decent form on the flat for David Evans of late but needs to improve on all known form over hurdles to take a hand here. Noticeable was a good winner over fences at Huntingdon for Andy Haynes last time but this looks tougher back over hurdles, especially with Cheshire Prince in opposition and Neil King's gelding looks the one to be on.
Cheshire Prince 14-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, effort and every chance next, one pace last, 5th of 23, 18l behind Qaspal (10-3) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) gs.
Bedizen 50-1 (11-2) In rear, behind from 8th, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Theatrical Moment (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 8 ran.
Noticeable (IRE) 2-7fav (11-8) Tracked clear leader, took closer order 9th, led and left clear 3 out, very easy, won at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gf in Oct beating Private Lives (11-2) by well, 4 ran.
Lindy Lou 7-2 (11-0) Held up, mistake 1st, headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 15l behind Benfleet Boy (11-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Sonning Star (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Close up, mistake 2nd, blundered next, close up 3 out, weakened next, beaten when blundered last, 8th of 9, 32l behind Arctic Wings (10-1) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Dark Oasis 20-1 (10-7) Track leader, pushed along approaching 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 10, 36l behind Elite Land (9-11) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 15, 33l behind Manyriverstocross (11-0) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Motarjm (USA) 9-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, beaten but disputing 2nd when mistake 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 29l behind Oceana Gold (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct '08.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 8-1 (9-13) In rear, some headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 17, 29l behind Share Option (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.