took keen hold, held up behind leaders, mistake 3rd, closed 11th, not fluent next, outpaced after 13th, stayed on approaching last to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner
led until 2nd, led 6th, not fluent 8th, headed 11th, led next, drew clear approaching 4 out, in command after
held up behind leaders, not fluent 1st, headway 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off
led 2nd until 6th, led 11th until 12th, no impression on winner approaching 4 out, lost 2nd flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th until 6th, no impression on winner when disputing 2nd 4 out until 2 out, no extra
THE SNAIL has really come out of his shell this season and looks to have been found another decent opening. He may have most to fear from Magnetic Pole and Sou'wester. The selection was in action just five days ago at Ffos Las where he ran creditably to finish third in a stronger race over hurdles. The return to chasing shouldn't hinder him as long as the race at the weekend hasn't taken too much out of him and he can maintain his one hundred per cent record when partnered by James Tudor. Magnetic Pole has returned a beaten favourite twice since winning at Leicester and departed early at Stratford last time so there are clearly some reservations about his credentials. On the plus side, he's clearly deemed capable of faring better than he's shown of late. Sou'wester has a decent strike rate over fences and has slipped to an attractive mark and went close on his only prior visit whilst Tyup Pompey is something of a standing dish here but The Snail can prove too hot.
Sou'wester 16-1 (11-7) Led until headed after 9th, chased winner until ridden after 4 out and weakened quickly next, 6th of 10, 18l behind Green Belt Elite (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
The Snail 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Arumun (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Always rear division, never in contention, 6th of 13, 48l behind Fighting Chance (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 4th, not fluent 5th, went 2nd and not fluent next, weakened on long run to 2 out, 8th of 9, 38l behind Tempting Paradise (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Magnetic Pole 9-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Sir Ian (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd, 12 ran.
