in rear, stayed on from 3 out to chase leading pair last, kept on
always in rear, not fluent 8th, mistake 11th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden 4 out, no impression
in touch, ridden and weakened 7th, soon behind
mid-division and jumped left 1st, ridden from 10th, mistake and weakened 3 out
held up, some progress when unseated rider 7th
mid-division, ridden and some progress 4 out, no impression on leaders from 2 out
made all, ridden 2 out, mistake last, kept on
tracked leaders and jumped left, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked winner throughout, ridden 2 out, rallying and 1 length down when blundered last, not recover
Nemetan gets the vote over Talikos, with Haunted House, Karoo and South Sands adding to a moderate but competitive affair on paper. Nemetan was a beaten favourite at Taunton last time, finishing third to Wenger, and is a shade high in the weights at present. However, he has not had much racing this year, and this step up in trip may bring about the desired improvement. Talikos has now had six outings over fences without success, but will find this finish a lot easier than the Towcester hill, so is another that will be fancied to make a bold bid to get recent losses back. Haunted House humped topweight to victory at Ludlow in January, and more recently was noted staying on at the finish when third to Rowdy Yeats at Warwick. Karoo and South Sands lurk at the foot of the handicap, and both need to show more, so we shall stick with Nemetan.