held up behind leaders, hard ridden to dispute 2nd after 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up, mistake 6th, weakened 10th, soon behind, tailed off
held up, ridden 9th, soon lost place, tailed off
not always fluent, held up, weakened 10th, tailed off when blundered next
in rear, blundered 6th, jumped badly left next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
tracked clear leader, closed and driven when not fluent 2 out and last, stayed on under pressure to lead close home
led and soon clear, ridden after 3 out, not fluent next, hung left flat, headed and weakened close home
held up in rear, behind from 11th
A race full of inconsistent types and unreliable finishers. The horse with the best racecourse form is The Hearty Joker and looking at the opposition he should be sent off a short price favourite. Capable on any ground he thrived with new trainer Brendan Powell last season without troubling the scorers. On a decent mark here if he can't win he will struggle to win any race this season. Tino has bits and pieces of form over hurdles and the larger obstacles and is ideally suited by this ground. He should give the selection most to do. Thumper's trainer is in good form at the moment and will have schooled his charge well for his first run over fences. However he will need to improve on his hurdle form to take a hand here.