chased leader 2nd, led 6th to 8th, led again after 2 out, all out
led to 4th, stayed prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, ridden after 7th, jumped slowly 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, ridden approaching last, no extra flat
chased leader to 2nd, led 4th to 6th, led again 8th, ridden and headed after 2 out, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat
Feel The Pride gets a narrow vote over Iambe De La See and Croix De Guerre, with Dollar Law and Squeeze worth a mention as well in an opening looking start to proceedings. It will not be long before Jonjo O' Neill's stable is back to normal, and as he has already sent out a winner since re-opening, hopes are high that Feel The Pride can deliver the good today on only his second start over fences. Like the rest of the yard, he has been out of commission and will come on for the outing, but he shaped well enough on his chase debut at Exeter in December, and that was his first taste of action since April. He was useful over hurdles and will like the ground, but obviously his fitness will have to be taken on trust today. Iambe De La See was very, very unlucky here the time before last when falling at the final fence with the race at his mercy. However, he failed to make amends at Ludlow next time and is passed over. Croix De Guerre came up against the smart Liverpool Echo on his chase bow at Kempton and did well to get second, although his jumping left a lot to be desired. Dollar Law had the distinction of beating the useful Perouse and Jahash over hurdles at Chepstow this time last year, but overall his form leaves him with something to find, and Squeeze has the assistance of Andy Thornton again in his bid to go one better than when beaten a head on his first outing over fences here last time. He will be better suited by further though, and on this occasion we prefer to take a chance with Feel The Pride in the belief that his stable's winning run will start sooner rather than later.
Dollar Law 7-2 Held up in rear, hit 11th, weakened from 4 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind East Lawyer at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (E) gs in Feb.
Squeeze (IRE) 40-1 Mid-division, lost place 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, headway approaching last, ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 11, hd behind Thieves'glen at Leicester 2m mdn chs (E) sft in Feb.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 11-4 Mistake 1st, held up in touch, steady headway to track leaders 10th, narrow leader when blundered 3 out, soon headed, 3rd and held when blundered last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Liverpool Echo at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (D) gs in Feb.
Feel The Pride (IRE) 11-4 Held up last, headway after 9th, soon no impression, 4th of 6, 34l behind Kim Fontenail at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (E) gd in Dec.
Iambe de La See (FR) 9-2 Tracked leader, left in lead 8th, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakening when mistake next, 5th of 9, 20l behind Cosmocrat at Ludlow 2m nov chs (E) gs in Jan.
Royale Acadou (FR) 33-1 Always rear, tailed off, 7th of 11, 44l behind The Local at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) sft in Jan.
