held up, headway when hit 4 out, weakened next
keen, close up, ridden to chase leader 4 out, until 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, mistake 2nd, headway 4 out, chased leader 2 out, soon led, pressed approaching last, driven and stayed on strongly
keen, tracked leader, ridden to lead 3rd, headed 5th, lost place next
held up in last place, blundered 2nd, behind when mistake 3 out
keen, held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased winner soon after 2 out, challenged winner and every chance last, no extra towards finish
in touch, weakened soon after 5th
in touch, hit 3rd, led 5th, clear 4 out, soon hung right, headed soon after 2 out, blundered and lost 3rd last
led, headed 3rd, soon lost place, behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
Gloucester is rated the proverbial Norfolk country mile clear of this lot on official BHA National Hunt ratings, but once again he looks likely to find at least one too good here in KNOW THE LAW. The Nicky Henderson-trained selection is rated a good 10lbs better than Gloucester on the level and makes his debut over timber today. He sees out 1m 4f well on the flat and this minimum trip looks an ideal starting point. There are slight concerns over the ground, though he did handle soft well enough on his only try on the flat, and he might just have too much ability for this lot. If he doesn't win, then Gloucester finally might. Michael Scudamore's gelding won't mind this ground and is a relatively consistent sort that has run some good races in defeat. However, you would be hard pressed to lump on him after he found nothing last time and we will oppose. Galley Slave is on a lengthy losing run in both codes, plus there are concerns as to her ability to handle conditions, so she is taken on once more. The remainder need some form of almighty intervention if they are to emerge victorious and given the likelihood of that we'll stick with Know The Law.
Bold Phoenix (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) In touch, lost place approaching 4th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Bella Haze (10-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy, 14 ran.
Chalice Welcome 5-2 (10-0) Not jumped well throughout, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 21l behind Peak Seasons (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Jan.
Gloucester 6-1 (11-5) Held up, headway before 2 out, ridden to dispute 2nd, and chance last, switched left running, no impression on winner and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Ingratitude (11-9) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Government (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 25l behind Safin (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) hvy.
Haughton Hope 66-1 (9-0) Soon led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened and eased over 2f out, 12th of 14, well behind Contra Mundum (9-6) at Southwell 1m 3f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan '08 (Flat).
Know The Law 7-1 (9-4) Dwelt, in rear, ridden and headway entering final 2f, stayed on final furlong, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Apache Fort (8-13) at Newmarket 1m 4f clm (4) gf in Sept (Flat).
Nothing Lost Danzero gelding out of South Sea Bubble.
Galley Slave (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 9, 33l behind Sydney Sling (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 3yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Kingdom of Heaven (IRE) 150-1 (9-11) Pulled hard in rear, saddle soon slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Noticeable (11-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gs, 14 ran.