chased leader who was clear approaching 2nd, not fluent 3rd, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th when blundered badly last
chased leaders, reminders after 7th, weakened quickly, pulled up before next
in touch in chasing group from 2nd, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
jumped right, raced freely, led, clear 2nd, not fluent 3rd, came back to field 4 out, headed approaching 3 out where bad mistake, soon weakened
held up, pecked and reminders 4th, headway after 7th, not fluent 9th, weakened after 4 out, clambered over 3 out, pulled up 2 out
chased leaders, hit 4th, lost place next, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway after 7th, went 3rd 4 out, challenged from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, held towards finish
held up in rear, mistake 8th, not fluent 9th or 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, edged right approaching last, stayed on flat
ISINTSHELOVELY makes the most of any marginal appeal in this poor contest, but Wiesenhurst and Wasntme also make the shortlist. It's a race with not much decent recent form for the runners, with far too many Ps and Us in the form. Isintshelovely is back down a mark just three pounds higher than when she won a similar event in the autumn, since when stepped up in grade she's not been competitive. The drop back to this level is a positive, especially having nine pounds in hand on the top weight, and she can handle some cut in the ground. Wasntme was pulled up a month ago, but has run over further and in testing conditions, although he's been far from consistent. He won at Chepstow after a lengthy break, and will have some supporters today, especially with some first time headgear. Wiesenhurst drops back down in grade but makes his chase debut; placed once in eleven attempts over hurdles, the bigger obstacles may be more to his liking. A trappy heat, with tentative support going to Isintshelovely.
Sumdancer (NZ) 18-1 (10-6) Close up in chasing group, reminders 7th, soon lost place, blundered 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Wasntme (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, under pressure 14th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Its A Classic (11-11) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Rosoff (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 32l behind Near The Water (10-11) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Littleton Aldor (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden when jumped slowly 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Canni Thinkaar (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Roughing It (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Always behind, ridden 6th, soon struggling and tailed off after 9th, 7th of 8, well behind Killard Point (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Mar.
Isintshelovely (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leader, hit 3 out, pushed along well before 2 out when mistake and weakened, 5th of 11, 17l behind Mix N Match (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Wiesenfurst (GER) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 4th, never on terms, 6th of 9, 29l behind Dreams Jewel (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Apr.
Brushford (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 7th of 12, well behind Postmaster (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '08.
