tracked leader, outpaced and lost place 11th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden and soon weakened
in touch, led after 3 out, ridden and kept on
led, jumped left 4th and 9th, hit 4 out, ridden and jumped badly left and headed 3 out, driven and one pace flat
held up, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
towards rear, headway to track leader 9th, ridden 3 out and soon one pace
Any four of the five could win this and the most tentative of nominations goes to STRIKING ARTICLE ahead of Role On. Having won on his chasing bow at Hexham, the selection was then pitched into top company at Cheltenham. Whilst he was disappointing, he wasn't disgraced behind Arkle favourite Tatenen and his subsequent defeat at Wetherby can be ignored as he wasn't given a hard time after making several mistakes. Whilst I would have preferred to have seen him over two miles, this quick track should play to his strengths and he can regain the winning habit. Watch My Back was a winner when last seen in December, but his win here doesn't look the strongest form going. However he is open to improvement and is evidently suited by good or quicker ground. Hernando's Boy is another with winning form at the track, but Keith Reveley's gelding needs to forget a fall here last time when he was up against a very decent inmate of Watch My Back. Role On steps back up in trip today; the majority of his better performances have come on softer ground however and so he may want the heavens to open. An intriguing race with most having something to prove, but it is Striking Article who stands out.
Hernando's Boy 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, close up and still going well when fell at the 11th in race won by Kalahari King (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd, 6 ran.
Role On (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, weakened 4 out, blundered next and pulled up 4 out in race won by Cromwell Court (10-12) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Striking Article (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 3rd, stumbled and weakened from 5 out, last of 4, well behind Will Be Done (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Watch My Back 7-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, smooth headway and every chance when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec beating Categorical (11-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
Reel Charmer 17-2 (10-7) Mistakes, always behind, 11th of 16, well behind Sa Suffit (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs in Jan.
