close 3rd on inside, pushed along turning in, ridden before the last, found no extra run-in, weakened
chased winner throughout, pushed along after 4 out, ridden after next, ridden and hung right from before last, stayed on same pace run-in, no chance with winner
always last, hit 7th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and beaten before next
jumped boldly, made all, jumped big 9th, quickened pace before 3 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in, unchallenged
Orrisdale is 0-8 over fences but has ability and was second off a 2lb higher mark at Market Rasen two runs ago. Switch Hitter beat two rivals here in November but didn’t run up to that form against more-experienced rivals at Ludlow last month when let down by his jumping. TORIGNI was behind Orrisdale at Market Rasen and is a pound worse off but he spread a plate that day and has since had his confidence boosted by a win at Leicester so can turn the tables.
Torigni (FR) 11-4 (11-8) Some tentative jumps, raced in last, switched left and closed 2 out, led last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Dec beating Neville's Cross (11-11) by 1/2l, 3 ran.
Switch Hitter (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on after 2 out, rallied after final fence, 3rd of 7, 27 1/2l behind Minella Encore (11-6) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Cracking Smart (FR) 80-1 (11-12) Not always fluent, always behind, tailed off before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Orrisdale (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, struggling 3 out, well beaten from 2 out, 6th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Keep Wondering (11-3) at Haydock 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
