chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden and jumped right 3 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, when slipped up bend after 2nd
led after 2nd, slipped and headed bend approaching 3rd, stayed prominent to 5th, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden to go 2nd 2 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner
led, headed after 2nd, left in lead again approaching 3rd, ridden clear last, eased towards finish
Minster Glory has been a revelation at the ripe old age of 12 and can gain his fourth win in a row at the expense of Silk Trader, Waterspray and Don't Sioux Me. Okay, the heart might be ruling the head but the selection won so well seven days ago, remains well handicapped in relation to what he has achieved over fences, and might be up to defying a penalty to defy. He's a real credit to his trainer. Don't Sioux Me has three of his last six races, but has an eleven-pound penalty to defy for the latest of these. Waterspay is very consistent and should go well but has been raised for getting beaten. He was second to Bolshoi Ballet last time. John Mackie trains that winner, and the Derbyshire handler runs Silk Trader here. He's a course and distance winner and probably needed his recent seasonal return so should be sharper now. He has scored from a mark of 106 so his current 110 rating makes him competitive. Robbie Can Can won on the Flat in October but lacks the hurdling experience of the others, so we overlook him here. Overall, then, we'll side with Minster Glory.
