held up, headway and in touch 11th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 uot
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 11th, soon ridden and behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
made all, blundered 2nd, quickened 11th, 13 lengths clear when blundered 3 out, ridden last, edged left under pressure flat, held on
held up in touch, headway to chase winner after 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra
held up in rear when blundered and unseated rider 7th
chased winner, hit 10th, lost place after 4 out, weakened next
held up in touch, outpaced 12th, soon lost place, headway under pressure 3 out, rallied to go 2nd last, kept on when not much room towards finish
Hold The Bid gets the confident vote here with Mage d'Estruval and One Sniff rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Delightful Cliche, he looks sure to improve again for the longer trip and despite his penalty, with his yard beginning in good form he looks the one to be on. Mage d'Estruval rates the main danger on his latest third behind Ballyfoy but he has had plenty of chances off similar marks without taking one and again he looks vulnerable. One Sniff is another worthy of respect as he is unexposed and won well when last seen beating The Reverend but he looks sure to need the run after a 502 day break and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the others Bellaney Jewel could improve for the fitting of first time cheek-pieces while Fourty Acers is sure to have come on for his latest run but his best form is on a faster surface and for the winner we return to Hold The Bid who looks progressive.
One Sniff (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, ran on to lead run-in, kept on, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Nov '06 beating The Reverend (11-0) by 3l, 6 ran.
Super Lord (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, reminder 16th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 5, well behind Arnold Layne (11-8) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Fourty Acers (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) In touch, lost place 7th, 5th of 13, 24l behind Principe Azzurro (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Mage d'Estruval (FR) 7-1 (10-7) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Ballyfoy (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Hold The Bid (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Held up, steady headway 5 out, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Delightful Cliche (10-13) by 16l, 6 ran.
Mr Fluffy 40-1 (9-9) Prominent, blundered 3rd, mistake 9th, lost place 16th, soon struggling, 8th of 13, 20l behind Tango Royal (10-3) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Bellaney Jewel (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 12th, rallied 3 out, never dangerous, 5th of 11, 38l behind Super Road Train (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
