led, looked fluent 4th, slow jump 6th, ridden and headed soon after last, one pace
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened between last 2, went poor 3rd and jumped right last
prominent, mistake 2 out, weakened between last 2
mid-division, mistake 5th, headway to track leader next, hit 3 out and weakened
always rear, driven and lost touch 6th, tailed off
6th and in touch when fell 3 out
took keen hold, tracked leaders, weakened after 6th, pulled up approaching 3 out
held up in touch, headway going well to track leader between last 2, switched right approaching last, led soon after last, pushed out run-in, comfortably
Thenford Snipe is a tentative choice over Captain's Legacy, Corker and Gabier, with Mag Num also worth a mention. Those mentioned should all be placed to good effect over timber in due course, but on the strength of a recent bumper second at Wetherby, Thenford Snipe is selected. Jim Old's charge will appreciate the step up in trip on breeding, and will hopefully handle the testing conditions well enough to prevail. Captain's Legacy has much more experience over hurdles than the selection, but was a beaten favourite at Fontwell last time, well held in second when coming to grief at the last. He makes slightly less appeal than stablemate Corker who was travelling well enough when brought down at the last meeting here a fortnight ago. He too though has had more chances than most and is susceptible to an improver. French import Gabier has a classy Flat pedigree, being by Galileo out of a Shirley Heights mare, and he will be one to follow when handicapped judged on his two efforts over hurdles so far. Mag Num got no further than the first on his debut at Hereford on Monday, but is well thought of and should not be discounted lightly if Evan Williams decides to let him take part, but our vote goes to Thenford Snipe.
Captain's Legacy 5-2jt-fav (11-7) Chased winner, ridden after 3 out, no chance when fell at the last in race won by Special Envoy (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Corker 6-1 (11-4) In rear when brought down 5 out in race won by Sydney (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy, 12 ran.
Mag Num (FR) 9-2 (11-3) Hampered when unseated rider in race won by Tisseman (11-3) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) sft, 11 ran.
Thenford Snipe (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders, headway 4f out, led 3f out, soon ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (5) gs.
Top Dancer (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Held up, well behind when mistake 8th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Melba Toast (11-6) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Toryt (POL) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, no impression when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Glinton (11-9) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Lady Bling Bling 8-1 (10-11) Chased leaders to 4th, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ring Back (11-2) at Towcester 2m mrs mdn hdl (5) sft, 15 ran.
Gabier 6-1 (11-0) Held up , headway 3rd, chased leading pair 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Stumped (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) hvy.
