with leader, led 2nd, headed narrowly 6th, reminder 12th, lost place 14th, weakened 4 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, headway to lead 10th, made rest, driven approaching 2 out, kept on and in command flat
held up behind in touch, chased leading pair 16th, hit 4 out, lost place next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent on outside, ridden and lost place 16th, chased clear pair 3 out, lost moderate 3rd next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 14th, soon challenged, ridden before 2 out, kept on, held flat
not fluent 1st, led to 2nd, in touch, led again 6th, headed 10th, reminder next, struggling 13th, stayed on to take moderate 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
JUPITER REX has been switching between hurdles and fences with great success. Heavy ground holds no fears for Venetia Williams' prolific six-year-old, as he showed over the smaller obstacles at Fontwell on Tuesday, and he'll take some stopping here if in the same mood. Ten Fires, Fairwood Massini and Cypress Grove all have plenty to prove at present while the once-useful Joaaci is not the force of old. Pliny was tailed off behind the selection at Ludlow last month and looks to have little hope of turning the tables.
Ten Fires (GER) 25-1 (10-9) Raced wide in touch, headway on outside to chase leaders 7th, losing place and pushed along when went left 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Emperor's Choice (11-10) at Lingfield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb, 9 ran.
Jupiter Rex (FR) 10-11fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, closed 4 out, led 2 out, drew clear flat, ran on well, easily, won at Fontwell 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy beating Fortification (11-8) by 7l, 5 ran.
Fairwood Massini (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, mistake 7th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Son Of Moyne (10-2) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-109 in Oct, 18 ran.
Cypress Grove (IRE) 13-2 (10-8) Led until 2nd, chase dleaders, pushed along before 10th, left disputing 2nd 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 24l behind Time To Think (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Joaaci (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Held up behind, reminder 15th, soon struggling, never dangerous, 10th of 12, well behind Ballyoliver (11-5) at Newbury 3m 2f am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Pliny (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked winner until 6th, lost 3rd 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, regained 3rd before 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 4, 33l behind Royal Chatelier (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m Conditional Handicap Chase (0-100) (5yo+) (5) hvy.
