jumped right, led until after 1st, tracked winner, ridden to challenge after 4 out, beaten next
jumped right, led after 1st, clear from 3 out
always behind and mistakes, tailed off from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, outpaced from 8th
held up in touch, weakened from 8th
This has the look of a very trappy affair and we will give a sporting vote to Iron Man, Rebel Rhythm and Without A Doubt look to be the best of the others. Howard Johnson's five-year-old put in a very bad showing last time at Carlisle, but his previous victory at the same track reads very well. He jumped superbly and comfortably got the better of Great As Gold. Any more rain would certainly aid his cause and he looks the best option. Rebel Rhythm was also well beaten last time out but it was a strong contest, he comes into the argument here on his victory over Trisons Star at Wetherby back in December. Without A Doubt didn't do too badly over a marathon trip at Cheltenham last time and will appreciate this drop back in trip. The other four runners look a little out of their depth and so in what could be a three horse war Iron Man is taken to land the spoils.
Iron Man (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Led to 6th, well behind in 2nd at last, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Monet's Garden (11-10) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Rebel Rhythm 7-2 (11-4) With leader, led 10th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 34l behind Halcon Genelardais (11-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Delaware Trail 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, hit 5th, never dangerous, last of 6, well behind Monet's Garden (11-10) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Feb.
Sandy Gold (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Led 4th, reminders and lost place after 7th, soon beaten, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Aleron (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Jan.
Dalriath 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders after last, kept on same pace flat, 4th of 11, 9l behind Parisienne Gale (11-7) at Cartmel 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Aug.
Without A Doubt 20-1 (11-11) In rear, hampered 5th, headway after 3 out, stayed on after next, never going pace to reach leaders, 5th of 22, 11l behind Hot Weld (11-11) at Cheltenham 4m 1f nov amt chs (2) gd in Mar.
Abzuson 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, beaten when blundered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-0) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
