in rear, fell 12th
held up, headway 12th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, lost place 5th, soon struggling
soon close up, ridden 5 out, weakened from 2 out
in touch, jumped slowly 12th, ridden and mistake 4 out, soon weakened
prominent until lost place 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well to go clear flat
held up, headway 5th, soon chasing winner, ridden approaching 2 out, edged left and hit rail flat, no extra
held up, pecked 3rd, mistake 6th, pushed along approaching 11th, struggling from 4 out
After a couple of runs over hurdles, Rudolf Rassendyll reverts to chasing and is preferred to both Tipsy Mouse and Spinofski. The last mentioned has slipped to a fair mark and showed signs of a return to form at Sandown last time so has to be respected. Paul Webber's gelding makes more appeal than Mick Easterby's Belisario, who was a faller on his return and may just need the run today. Henry Daly's Roberty Bob has been lightly raced in recent seasons and should strip fitter for his recent return, while Michael Scudamore's The Villager is more than capable of taking a hand in the finish off his current mark under conditions that suit. His jumping remains of concern though and a bigger threat may come from Tipsy Mouse. Sue Smith's gelding is well served by a soft surface and goes well here but needs a career best effort to win off today's mark and preference is for Rudolf Rassendyll. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding has had a couple of confidence boosters over hurdles and looks to be well treated fro his return to chasing.