chased winner until 12th, weakened next, eased
jumped slightly left, made all, ridden before 2 out, awkward last, driven out run-in, all out
held up in last, mistake 4th, closer at 10th, 2nd at 12th, about 2 lengths down when blundered and went left 2 out, no chance after, kept on same pace
not fluent 1st, chased clear leading pair, pushed along after 13th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, plugged on
held up in 4th, mistake and lost place 10th, mistake next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Wood Pigeon will probably start favourite as he’s been placed in six of his 13 starts over fences, though has only won once and is still 6lb higher. Run Don't Hide was third at Southwell on his debut over the larger obstacles while One Style is starting to slip down the weights and shouldn’t be far away. HILL FORT was occasionally clumsy over hurdles so there is no guarantee he’ll take to chasing but he’s thrown in on his best form over timber so gets a tentative vote.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Led until approaching 4 out, rallied from 2 out, stayed on strongly after last, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Heresmynumber (11-1) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
One Style (FR) 5-1 (12-2) Tracked leader until 3rd, went 2nd again after 4 out until before 3 out, well held after, joined 3rd on the line, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Minella Voucher (10-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Viva Rafa (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, weakened quickly before 2 out, 11th of 18, dist behind Broken Quest (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Hill Fort 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway from 8th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace before 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 7, 8 3/4l behind Ramore Will (12-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Run Don't Hide (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 9th, blundered 4 out, chased front pair next, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, always held, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Normandy King (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.