led after 2nd, headed 7th, gradually weakened
towards rear, ridden 8th, kept on, never dangerous
held up in touch, ridden and weakened from 7th
held up in touch, lost place 6th, behind from next, soon tailed
held up mid-division, ridden halfway, kept on one pace
held up in touch, ridden 8th, staying on one pace and beaten when fell last
held up and behind, ridden from 8th, never dangerous
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, led again 7th, headed next, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden halfway, never dangerous
held up mid-division, chased along from 7th, kept on one pace from 2 out
promiment to 6th, soon lost touch, behind from next
held up in rear, some moderate late headway, never dangerous
close up,ridden 3 out, chased leader 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, led 3 out, blundered next, headed approaching last, no extra flat
chased leaders to 3 out, kept on from next, no extra approaching last
held up towards rear, headway 8th, chased leader 2 out, led approaching last, quickened and ran on well flat
held up in rear, never troubled leaders
A competitive contest with plenty of the 17-runner field holding claims. Following wins at Musselburgh and over course and distance on his last two starts Mary Reveley's Il Cavaliere is bound to be a popular choice with backers but a 9lb rise for the latest success leaves him with more to do. Topweight Jollie Bollie has been given a chance by the handicapper off just a 3lb higher mark than when winning at Wincanton on Boxing Day but would probably prefer a softer surface, as would the Philip Hobbs-trained Under The Sand and the lightweight Island Faith, who are both by mud-loving sire Turtle Island. Prokofiev is another with better form on a softer surface, while course specialist Serenus looks to be on the downgrade. Martin Pipe saddles three and, while it is always difficult to rule out any of his runners none of the trio of Ideal Du Bois Beury, Imperial De Thaix and Safari Paradise make much appeal, with the first two mentioned returning to hurdles after some disappointing efforts over the larger obstacles. The consistent pair of Battle Warning and Bak To Bill have to be respected but in a tough contest it might be worth chancing Charlie Mann's Texas Ranger. Admittedly his form of late is not too inspiring but with ground conditions to suit for the first time since making hay during the summer months and back on a fair mark, he looks worth a bet at likely odds.
