held up in last pair, ridden and struggling in rear at 7th, never travelled after, tailed off
chased leader, reminder after 2nd, led briefly 5th, ridden and lost 2nd 12th, weakened next, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and struggling after 13th, tailed off
jumped well, led, headed 13th, chased leader, challenged 4 out, led again soon after, came clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly
well off the pace in rear, some headway 7th, reminders before 12th, went modest 4th before 14th, never going pace to get to leaders
close 5th, pushed along in 3rd 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd soon after last
chased leaders, blundered 3rd, lost place and dropped to last trio 7th, rallied to chase leaders again 9th, led 13th, joined 4 out, soon headed, chased winner until 3 out, rallied to modest 2nd after last
Wild Ground won twice over course and distance in December and was racing over a trip short of her best on her latest start over fences. She had a pipe-opener over hurdles last month and can't be ignored in this. Nudge And Nurdle has also won over track and trip and is potentially well treated but last ran in November and preference is for CURRENT CLIMATE. He, too, knows how to win over these fences and he looked to be on the way back when second over hurdles at Lingfield in January. Salut Honore looks high enough in the weights at present and Flemi Two Toes was well beaten on his chasing bow at Fakenham and neither Victoria Rose nor Princely Hero should be good enough on these terms.
Victoria Rose (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, jumped slowly 5th, ridden after 10th, some headway 13th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 35l behind Rebeccas Choice (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Flemi Two Toes (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) In touch, reminders 4th, ridden 4 out, beaten next, 3rd of 6, 42l behind Ballypatrick (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Held up, not fluent 6th, headway 10th, ridden after 15th, no impression before 4 out, 5th of 8, 33l behind Firebird Flyer (11-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Nov.
Wild Ground (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened quickly, 4th of 10, 25l behind Tarabela (11-8) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Current Climate (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd on long run to 2 out, ridden and every chance when hampered 2 out, soon switched right and unable to quicken, rallied to 2nd again final 75 yards, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Killimore Cottage (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Salut Honore (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Held up, closer order 8th, headway to chase leaders 14th, ridden in 3rd soon after, kept on same pace and no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Somerby (10-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Princely Hero (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Last pair, 6th and plenty to do 3 out, rallied last, went 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 8, 6l behind Time To Think (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
