tracked leader, effort 2 out, led between last 2, 2 lengths clear last, ridden out flat, in command when eased near finish
led, driven and headed between last 2, kept on same pace, ridden and no impression with winner flat, held on for 2nd near finish
held up 3rd and last, not fluent 5th, pushed along 4 out, outpaced next, 8 lengths down when blundered last, ridden and stayed on flat, just held for 2nd near finish
Peddlers Cross won this in 2010 before scoring at Cheltenham and this year's Festival is the aim for stablemate CINDERS AND ASHES. It's not hard to see why as he landed the odds without breaking into a sweat when scoring in heavy ground over C&D last month and looks the one to beat of this trio. Oscar Nominee would appear to have a bright future over timber judged on an impressive debut victory over hurdles at Southwell and it will be interesting to see if he can reproduce that same turn of foot in today's testing conditions, while Double Ross should handle the going but has plenty to find with the selection on these terms.
Cinders And Ashes 2-11fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led going well last, not extended, won at Haydock 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Kent Street (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Double Ross (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led narrowly 2nd, went left and headed 2 out, chased winner, held when hit last, lost 2nd hung left and weakened soon after, 3rd of 5, 12l behind Fingal Bay (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 1 (1) sft in Dec.
Oscar Nominee (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, clear soon after, ran on strongly, won at Southwell 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs beating Able Deputy (11-5) by 27l, 12 ran.
