made most until headed 3 out, one pace
with leader, fell 10th
chased leaders, led 3 out, clear last
held up, blundered 4th, soon pulled up
held up in touch, driven 11th, weakened 4 out
held up, lost touch 10th, kept on to take moderate 3rd last
Any of these can be given a chance on the formbook and PRESENT GLORY is our idea of the most likely winner with Sovereign King and Andrew Nick the others of note. The selection has clearly had training troubles hence his relatively short amount of time spent at the racecourse. He beat a useful yardstick in Terrible Tenant at Wincanton and there could be more to come. Sovereign King was a useful novice hurdler. He shapes as if this three miles should be ideal. Nigel Twiston-Davies has had a number of staying winners over the last few weeks so watch out for Andrew Nick. Second at Uttoxeter last time out, he is tried in first time blinkers. Temoin was once useful for Nicky Henderson before injuries took their toll. He stays the trip although the ground would be far from ideal. Quarry Town has had a sizeable absence that would go some way to explaining his below par run at Aintree last November. Freeze The Flame could not concede a winners' penalty at Hexham and faces a tougher task against this level of opposition. Present Glory has most ticks in the right boxes.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, bumped 1st, headway 8th, ridden after 13th, went 2nd and mistake 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Nicto De Beauchene (10-10) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Mar.
Freeze The Flame (GER) 7-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, led 3 out to 2 out, led last, headed and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bleu Pois (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (4) gd.
Present Glory (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) In touch, close up 9th, led after 12th, ridden and idled from 3 out, challenged 2 out, kept on, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Terrible Tenant (10-6) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Quarry Town (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up, struggling 11th, behind when pulled up before next, in a race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Sovereign King 16-1 (11-4) Weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 38l behind The Vicar (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Temoin 6-1 (11-0) In touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, went 2nd last, stayed on flat, led towards finish, won at Lingfield 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Mar beating Gentle Ranger (11-0) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
