held up in rear, improved to go prominent 5th, slow 8th and ridden, weakened next, behind pulled up 2 out
held up, improved to go prominent 5th, ridden and weakened 5 out, mistake next
led, soon clear, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened next
blundered 2nd, always behind
held up, fell 1st
chased leader, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 7th, led 4 out, ridden clear 2 out
close up, mistake 7th and soon behind, ridden and stayed on approaching 2 out, never dangerous
mid-division, unseated rider 3rd
Apollo Creed is the nominal selection to provide Nigel Twiston-Davies with a second success in this race in three years. Longstanding maiden William Butler ran up to his best last time and connections have secured the services of a talented amateur. Since returning a 6 length beaten favourite in a bumper on debut the selection has failed to get to within 20 lengths of the winner in four subsequent outings but he was well backed when making his chase debut at Chepstow last time. Better was clearly expected, it was a stronger race than this one and it may pay to put his performance down to the heavy ground. William Butler has made the frame 5 times in 13 chase starts which makes him one of the more solid picks in this line-up but his inability to win is offputting. Rash Moment and In Extra Time are two others that make some appeal but we'll take Apollo Creed to deliver the knock out punch.
Rash Moment (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Close up, ridden 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 14, 15l behind Mylord Collonges (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
In Extra Time (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Held up, struggling 10th, hit 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Follow Your Heart (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Saucy Night 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 15, 44l behind Kathleens Pride (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Red Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened 7th, 6th of 14, 46l behind Darab (10-13) at Southwell 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun '06.
Apollo Creed (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out, tailed off, 4th of 15, well behind Sporting Rebel (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Glen Thyne (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Mondial Jack (10-10) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
William Butler (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) Close up, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, rallied briefly last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Minella Lodge (10-8) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Tipp Top (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) Disputed lead until 7th, remained prominent, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Read All About It (10-9) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May, 14 ran.
Fight The Feeling 28-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 17l behind Littleton Aldor (10-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
