prominent, ridden and lost place when not fluent 3rd, weakened before normal 4 out, tailed off
chased leader after 2nd, led bypassing normal 3 out, headed bypassing normal 2 out, soon no chance with winner, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, ridden after normal 4 out, weakened bypassing normal 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd after bypassing normal 3 out, led bypassing normal 2 out, soon well clear, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced from normal 4 out, stayed on approaching bypassed last, went 3rd soon after, no impression
led, ridden and headed bypassing normal 3 out, weakened bypassing normal 2 out
held up in touch, niggled along after 2nd, close up bypassing normal 3 out, one pace in 3rd bypassing normal 2 out, weakened after
This could become a real slog if more rain falls and makes little appeal as a betting medium with question marks against all. The jury's out regarding On The Move as his recent form, probably the best of these, has come on far quicker ground whilst Realta Mo Croi's profile sends out mixed messages. Awesome Bella was beaten a long way on her return to Rules in a Chepstow hunter chase and Dipity Doo Dah, who had some useful if frustrating chase form when last seen, has been absent for not far off 600 days. He could be the one to beat if Peter Bowen has him ready to roll in the forecast conditions and the market should tell at least part of the story. Therefore, we'll row in with CLOUDS OF MIST who showed a little more last time when interestingly supported into joint favouritism. Trip and ground are fine and she looks best of a difficult bunch to analyse.
Victoria Rose (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, close up when blundered badly 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 16, 17l behind Royale Knight (11-2) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May '13.
Clouds Of Mist 4-1fav (10-13) Prominent, ridden and one pace when not fluent 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 12, 24l behind Pertinent (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
On The Move 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 6th, led approaching 3 out, headed before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Clues And Arrows (10-11) at Taunton 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Apr.
Realta Mo Croi (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 3rd, soon behind, chased leaders 9th until after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Iconic Rose (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Awesome Bella 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, headway 7th, struggling from 10th, plodded on, tailed off, 5th of 14, well behind Gale Force Oscar (11-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hts chs (5) gs in Apr.
Vintage Vixon (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In rear, reminder after 4th, some headway after 6th, ridden next, not fluent and weakened 3 out, 5th of 10, 21l behind Polo Springs (9-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
Dipity Doo Dah 28-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, lost place next, well beaten after 8th, 16th of 17, well behind Beside The Fire (11-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct '12.
