close up when fell 8th
held up, blundered 4th, behind from 12th
led, headed 3rd, bumped 6th, weakened 15th
in touch, weakened and behind from 11th, pulled up before 14th
tracked leaders, jumped right 6th, ridden and weakened 12th, blundered next and pulled up
mid-division, headway 8th, driven from 14th, led 4 out, jumped left 2 out, soon ridden and kept on
towards rear, reminder 6th, slightly hampered 8th, behind from 12th
led 3rd, ridden and headed 4 out, rallied 2 out, soon held
in touch, mistake 3rd, weakened 15th, pulled up before 3 out and dismounted
in touch, lost place 7th, weakened 13th
Parkinson, The Dark Lord, and Koumba are three for the shortlist here with the vote going to Parkinson. The selection tends to hit a flat spot in his races but is suited by a real test of stamina and he is promised to get one today. He has the services of AP McCoy aboard today and on ground that suits, he should run well despite the handicapper raising him to his highest mark of 110. Koumba reverts to the bigger obstacles today and is unexposed over fences. A repeat of his run when winning at Newbury in 2005 would put him firmly in the mix today, however this ground is softer than ideal so for that reason he is opposed. Fill The Bunker is consistent but tends to find at least one too good, whilst of more interest may be The Dark Lord. Lucy Wadham's charge was rated 135 over hurdles but is yet to hit those heights over fences. If fit enough after a lengthy absence he could go well although the ground may be softer than ideal. Sungates may appreciate the drop in trip today and has place claims at a price, however we will return to Jonjo O'Neill's Parkinson to land the spoils.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 11th, ridden and hit 2 out, led last, ran on, won at Ludlow 3m nov chs (3) gf in Apr beating Mioche d'Estruval (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, headway to join leaders 7th, slow 9th, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 43l behind Parkinson (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Spring Lover (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway 10th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Loulou Nivernais (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Koumba (FR) 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place 3 out, stayed on again flat, 3rd of 11, 1l behind Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Luneray (FR) 28-1 (11-3) Towards rear when fell at the 5th in race won by Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan, 13 ran.
Parkinson (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Wizard of Edge (10-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Sungates (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up and behind, headway 18th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Garryvoe (11-1) at Stratford 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Fill The Bunker (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 10th, ridden after 4 out, blundered 2 out, jumped right last, edged left flat, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind Martha's Kinsman (11-6) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Cassia Heights 11-2 (11-12) Chased leader, joined leader 12th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Original Fly (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Precious Bane (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Mid-division, struggling when mistake 10th, soon lost touch, 8th of 10, 34l behind Zimbabwe (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
