tracked winner, ridden to challenge after 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last, never able to challenge
chasing leaders when blundered badly ist, soon detatched, tailed off 4th, pulled up before 3 out
made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure (3 hurdles ommited)
tracked leaders, under pressure after 3 out, weakened last
Veripek has only found too good in both starts under Rules so far, only going down by a neck on his hurdles bow at Southwell. He should be winning soon but THEDRINKYMEISTER has the better form. Kim Bailey's gelding couldn't match the speed of Inner Drive over this trip at Huntingdon at the start of the month but the winner is useful and went down with all guns blazing in a better contest at Newbury last week. Berea Venture was flattered to get within five lengths of Buywise here last month and finished tailed off next time at Exeter.
Berea Venture (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Pulled hard, headway chasing leaders before 3rd, weakened before 7th, driven and struggling in rear after next, tired when blundered 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Chosen Well (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Rikerty Bridge 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 6th of 9, well behind Ballywilliam (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) sft in Feb.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Led, hard driven when headed 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 11, 14l behind Inner Drive (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Veripek (FR) 8-11fav (11-0) Held up, headway before 5th, not fluent next, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd before next, 2 lengths down flat, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 8, nk behind Nightline (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
