prominent, led 11th, headed and blundered 13th and weakened
mid-division, closer order after 9th, tracked leader 13th, led 4 out, clear 2 out, easy
towards rear, headway 13th, ridden next, weakened 3 out
led, blundered and headed 10th, weakened 13th
always in rear, mistake 10th, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 4 out
always in rear, lost touch 12th, pulled up before 4 out (lame)
held up in touch, led 13th, headed 4 out, hit 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, mistake 12th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden 12th, weakened next
mid-division, ridden 10th, weakening when mistake next
mid-division, headway 10th, mistake 12th, ridden to chase leaders 13th, weakened after 3 out, mistake last
Or Apples is the pick over Alam, Billyandi, Alcatras and Incorporation, with Polar Scout also worth a mention. At the age of five, Or Apples has plenty of time to develop into a decent handicap chaser, and indeed the French import has already won twice over fences in his native land. Things have not gone right in two British starts though, as he was pulled up on his Newbury debut, and was beaten out of sight at Taunton next time. However, they were both class 3 events, and he would have needed both runs anyway. Now that he has had more time to settle in, it is hoped that David Pipe's youngster will start to reveal his potential sooner rather than later, and he gets the vote today. Alam has already acclimatised nicely at his new surroundings, and was successful at Market Rasen the time before last. He struggled under a penalty last time though, and with another 7lb to carry here, will find things tough. Billyandi won a couple of times over hurdles, but looks as though he will be hard to place over the bigger obstacles. Maybe a step up to three miles will prove the answer in time. Incorporation was returning from an eight-month break when chasing home Wenger over shorter at Taunton, and although the form has been let down, he should improve for the step up in trip, while Polar Scout needs things to fall right, and will be staying on at the finish. Or Apples is the selection.
Billyandi (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) With leader, led 5th, headed 7th, remained with winner until approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 10, 11l behind Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Ma Furie (FR) 18-1 (10-7) Hit 1st, in touch until stumbled badly and unseated rider in race won by From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs, 10 ran.
Or Apple's (FR) 10-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, took closer order 6th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 37l behind Brave Villa (11-2) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Alam (USA) 4-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders and keen, mistake 1st, led 10th, ridden when hit 4 out, headed next, faded approaching last, 3rd of 12, 13l behind Cetti's Warbler (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-109 (4) sft.
Polar Scout (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 11th, effort after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 37l behind He's The Gaffer (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Baodai (FR) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 2nd, behind before 4 out, 8th of 11, 11l behind Glimmer of Light (10-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Alcatras (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Jumped right, in touch, hit 9th, effort 12th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 8, 30l behind Even More (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Incorporation 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, every chance 3 out, mistake last, rallied flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Wenger (11-11) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
