close up in 4th, mistake 5th, slow next, struggling when not fluent 5 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and every chance when not fluent 2 out, driven to lead next, stayed on
led, slow and headed 3rd, pressed leader until ridden 4 out, kept on one pace and went 2nd run in
mainly jumped left, pressed leader until led 3rd, ridden 3 out, joined next, headed next, no extra and lost 2nd run in
NonRunner
Nelson River has won over hurdles and on the all-weather but hasn’t shown a great deal over the last 12 months. Fransham won at Wetherby in November but has struggled since in handicaps and has a penalty to carry back in novice company. STEPNEY CAUSEWAY jumped poorly on his handicap debut at Doncaster and never looked like winning but an earlier second to Edwardstone at Warwick is the stand-out form in this and he still has time on his side. Nickolson looks the danger having found only one too good in both starts over fences.
Fransham 9-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 6th of 7, 22 1/4l behind Funambule Sivola (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Nelson River 5-1 (9-2) Led 1f, close up, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 5th of 7, 1 1/2l behind Socially Shady (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Nickolson (FR) 6-4fav (11-12) Mid-division, lost place and mistake 8th, soon pushed along, ridden and still plenty to do after 2 out, stayed on well from before last, never nearer, 2nd of 8, 3 3/4l behind Quoi De Neuf (11-5) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Stepney Causeway 7-4fav (11-3) Mistakes in rear, hit 4th, not fluent next, jumped slowly 7th, headway chasing leaders when bumped 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 17l behind Xcitations (11-1) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Earth Spirit 66-1 (11-0) Chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost place before 5th, lost touch 7th, ridden after next, soon tailed off, eventually completed, last of 3, dist behind Pisgah Pike (11-6) at Worcester 2m (3) gd in Aug.
