tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, led 3 out, stayed on well
led 2nd, not fluent 6th or 7th, headed 12th, weakened approaching 4 out
ran in snatches, not fluent 10th, soon driven in 5th and losing touch, behind 13th, pulled up before 4 out
led until 2nd, tracked leader, not fluent 5th, hit 8th, mistake next (water), mistake and remindes 10th, led 12th, hit 4 out, headed next, 1 length off winner when mistake last, no impression flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, dropped to last when mistake 8th, behind 8th, soon pulled up
held up, not fluent 2nd, misake 8th, not fluent next (water), went 4th from 10th, mistake and losing touch next, hit 13th, tailed off
Having only finished out of the frame once in five previous runs over C&D, veteran Fairwood Present has to be one for the short-list in this as he finished ahead of Shalamiyr on his belated reappearance at Leicester and will strip fitter here. But this can go to the latter's stablemate BERMUDA BOY, who would probably have run Fresh Air And Fun close over C&D last month had he not made a mess of the final three fences. This is his chance to make amends. Postmaster lacks a recent run and Pathian Prince would probably prefer an easier surface while Sahara Prince is only moderate.
Postmaster 14-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 14th, led 2 out, went left last, driven out, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug beating Ostland (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Fairwood Present (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Close up, blundered 4th, mistake 6th, closed on leaders next, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 6, 6l behind Restless D'artaix (11-7) at Leicester 2m hts chs (6) gs.
Pathian Prince 4-1 (11-11) In touch until blundered and lost place 3rd, behind and not fluent 9th, tailed off when blundered 5 out, 5th of 8, well behind Cave Hill (11-3) at Ffos Las 3m hts chs (4) sft in Feb.
Bermuda Boy (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, hit next, headway 7th, mistake 9th, hit next, went 2nd after 14th, blundered badly 3 out, no impression after, mistake 2 out, hit last, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Fresh Air And Fun (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd in Feb.
Sahara Prince (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Soon well behind, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Island Life (11-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hts chs (6) gd.
Shalamiyr (FR) 11-2 (11-9) Towards rear, headway and blundered 8th, went 3rd from next, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Ice Cool Benny (12-0) at Stratford 2m 4f nov hts chs (5) gd.