chased leaders, not fluent 13th, outpaced when hit next, soon weakened
chased leaders, mistakes 8th and 12th, ridden and outpaced 5 out, soon weakened
with leader, led 13th, driven clear 2 out, stayed on well comfortably
held up in rear, fluent 10th, driven and headway after 4 out, went 2nd next, kept on, no chance with winner
led to 13th, soon ridden to chase winner, outpaced when hit 4 out and next, soon beaten
held up when blundered and unseated rider 11th
This looks a match between Manx Royal and Hot Weld and the vote is given to the last named. The selection usually takes a few runs before he hits top form but he showed signs of a revival over hurdles last time, is sure to have been well-schooled for this his chasing debut and with this faster ground very much in his favour he is taken to score. Manx Royal rates the main danger as he was the best of these over hurdles but he has shown very little aptitude of late and for that reason he is opposed, especially at likely cramped odds. Bellaney Jewel at least has experience having been third behind Rambling Minster last time but if the principals put in a clear round he would have plenty to find and he is passed over for that reason. The remainder have shown virtually nothing and are readily opposed and for the winner we return to Hot Weld.
Derainey (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Armaguedon (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Hot Air (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Chased leaders to 7th, soon lost place, behind from 4 out, 6th of 12, well behind Welcome To Unos (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Hot Weld 16-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, effort and hit 13th, weakened next, 6th of 7, well behind The Duckpond (11-0) at Warwick 3m nov chs (D) sft in Dec.
Manx Royal (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 6th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Huka Lodge (10-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Bellaney Jewel (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on from last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Rambling Minster (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
Chanteuse 100-1 (10-0) Towards rear, effort, some headway from halfway, no impression from 4 out, 7th of 11, 50l behind Some Touch (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gf in Dec.
