not always fluent, lost touch 7th, tailed off
hampered 1st, tracked leaders, led 8th, quickened clear after 3 out, 10 lengths ahead and in command when hit last and sprawled on landing, hung left and headed towards finish, not recover
led until 2nd, tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, soon beaten
pulled hard, led 2nd, headed 8th, weakened after 4 out
held up, went 3rd after 6th, went 2nd and mistake 9th, ridden after 4 out, outpaced next, 10 lengths down and held last, led towards finish, fortunate winner
CONFLICTOFINTEREST is the pick with Shore Trade and Captain Becket sought as the most likely candidates for the forecast slot. There has been a change of ownership with Graham Roach's colours no longer carried but what could be more of interest is the removal of all the headgear and the tonguetie that accompanied his runs over hurdles. Having not pulled up any trees in that discipline, the switch to the larger obstacles was an obvious one. Shore Trade has not been seen on the track for some time. A winner of three from seven of his hurdling starts, he acts on the surface and will be a player if tuned up for this assignment. Captain Becket was a beaten favourite over hurdles at this racecourse. He gives the impression that this trip will be plenty sharp enough. Norborne Bandit is 0 from 6 over chase fences so far. Knapp Bridge Boy appears out of his depth. Conflictofinterest can justify short odds on his fencing debut.
Captain Becket 7-2fav (10-6) In touch, took closer order after 6th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, always held, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Armenian Boy (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
Conflictofinterest 10-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 17, well behind Bouggler (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Apr.
Knapp Bridge Boy 66-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leader until mistake 9th, weakened after 11th, 4th of 6, 49l behind Fit To Drive (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chase (4) gd in Apr.
Norborne Bandit (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened 8th, 8th of 10, well behind Lorient Express (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Shore Thing (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 16th of 20, 34l behind Font (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
