led until 3rd, prominent, led after 10th, headed next, not fluent and lost place 13th, hampered next, soon pulled up
with leader, led 3rd, headed after 10th, led next, not fluent 14th, headed 3 out, no extra from next, lost 2nd flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 13th until fell next
tracked leaders, reminder after 10th, outpaced 12th, mistake next, left 3rd 3 out, plugged on, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up in last, ridden before 11th, closed next, not fluent 13th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, clear 2 out, eased towards finish
tracked leaders on inside, not always fluent, lost place 9th, last 12th, not fluent 13th, closed next, ridden 4 out, 3 lengths 3rd when dived right, mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Champagne Rian and Hellorboston both won their penultimate starts but the former then finished tailed off at Stratford while the latter's victory was over timber. Tothemoonandback has struggled since recording a double in November and Rocky Bender has lost his way since winning at Bangor in December. Red Admirable bolted up over 3m at Haydock last week and should go close under his penalty but WESTAWAY has the greater scope. He was conceding 13lb to the winner when a staying-on second at Exeter on just his second start over fences. He was clear of the third and, only a couple of pounds higher, can open his account over the larger obstacles today.
Champagne Rian (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased winner, mistake 2nd, weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Dont Do Mondays (11-1) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Red Admirable (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 10th, clear from 4 out, eased towards finish, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs beating Itstimeforapint (10-12) by 18l, 8 ran.
Westaway (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on, always held by winner, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Castarnie (10-9) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
Hellorboston (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 7th (water), rallied chasing leaders again 9th, reminder before 12th, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, went badly right next, 5th of 9, 29l behind Bandit Country (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb.
Tothemoonandback (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, steady headway on inside approaching 10th, 6th when blundered 14th, soon outpaced, plugged on into modest 5th before 2 out, mistake last, went 4th in closing stages, 4th of 9, 31l behind Representingceltic (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Rocky Bender (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, jumped right and bumped rival 3rd, mistake and reminder 12th, lost place 14th, well beaten normal 4 out, 6th of 10, 29l behind Barton Gift (11-0) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.