led 2nd, not fluent 7th, strongly pressed 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner, weakened flat, just held on for 2nd
chased leaders, went 2nd briefly after 5th, chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, tailed off
led to 2nd, lost 2nd briefly after 5th, weakening into 3rd when mistake 2 out, beaten when fell last
not fluent, held up in last pair, ridden and weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, reminder and pushed along from 5th, hard ridden to challenge 3 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, driven and stayed on strongly flat
held up in last pair, ridden after 4 out, staying on at one pace when left modest 3rd last, kept on well flat to press for 2nd near finish
La Dame Brune and Minella Tipperary are the two to concentrate on here with the vote going to the last-named. Phillip Hobbs has had some recent winners after his well documented bout of coughing in the yard. With that in mind, we will side with his six-year-old today. He ran a solid race in defeat last time out over course and distance and with the form of that race looking strong, he gets the nod to stay on best today to land the spoils. La Dame Brune comes here chasing a hat-trick however the mare could be up against it as this race is better than the mares-only contest she won last time. She wasn't totally fluent in the jumping department that day and any mistakes today may prove costly. Master Eddy has struggled to get his head in front but could be place material, whilst at a price Buck The Legend could go well on his hurdling debut. Ultimately this looks a two-horse race and we will side with Minella Tipperary to get his head back in front.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 9-2fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on, always held by winner, 2nd of 16, 5l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
La Dame Brune (FR) 7-4 (11-5) Held up in touch, blundered 5th, led after last, all out, won at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Wyldello (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Buck The Legend (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Prominent, led after 3f, headed 9f out, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Appleaday (10-11) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Kalamazoo (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Keen in mid-division, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden approaching next, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Thenford Flyer (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Oct.
Master Eddy 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 6th, led after 4 out, under pressure and hit 3 out, headed when mistake last, no further impression, 2nd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Shannon Springs (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Montana Gold (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 15, 32l behind Duc De Regniere (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
