tracked leader, weakened 6th, pulled up soon after
never a factor
mid-division, closer order 3rd, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, headway 4th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, led approaching last, kept on
led and set good pace, headed approaching last, weakened
towards rear, ridden from 5th, plugged on
tracked leaders, chased leaders 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, every chance last, one pace
in touch, weakened 5th, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
Nonrunner
Nesnaas gets the vote over Darkshape, Nocivo and Constable Burton. Nesnaas has been very consistent to follow, having not failed to reach the first three in each of his last 10 starts, and with Tony McCoy booked for the first time, can pay to support again here. Mark Rimell's six-year-old has been rested since chasing home Bonchester Bridge on fast ground at Huntingdon in November, and as the form has worked out, with the third Pearl King going on to score three times over fences, hopes are high that he can come back with a bang. Darkshape let his supporters down badly when beaten out of sight on heavy ground at Uttoxeter in January, and in receipt of weight all round, is expected to fare better here, while Nocivo can only hope for better luck than he endured when slipping up and ditching Richard Johnson three out at Uttoxeter. Constable Burton was a good horse both on the Flat and over jumps two years ago, and if he can recapture a semblance of that form, is another to consider, but we are happy to support the consistent Nesnaas.
