chased leaders, led 13th, ridden 3 out, headed after 2 out, kept on
held up, blundered and unseated rider 8th
chased leader, ridden after 15th challenged 3 out, led after next, hit last, driven out
led to 11th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, blundered and unseated rider 5th
in touch, headway 10th, ridden after 15th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, hit 6th, headway next, led 11th, headed 13th, weakened 15th
behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Course and distance winner Fluff 'n' Puff has only been raised 2lbs for his win at Huntingdon earlier this month and has to be respected, along with top weight Elenas River who makes his debut for Philip Hobbs, but the vote goes to Pillar Of Fire. The Ian Williams-trained gelding is well weighted on his hurdles form and has shown enough in his last two starts over fences that he can take advantage of a favourable mark, especially now that his stable is back among the winners. Formerly with Henrietta Knight, Elenas River is interesting off a mark of 103 on his first start since joining current connections but may be best watched today. River Wye is another that is thrown in on his best form but he has given little sign of encouragement in recent starts. Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles two with recent Warwick winner Prancing Blade preferred to Sir Robbo. However, Pillar Of Fire has plenty going for him and gets the vote.