chased leaders, tracked winner 10th until hit 4 out, weakened 2 out
took keen hold in mid-division, not fluent 1st or 3rd, headway when hit 7th, mistake 10th, weakened approaching 3 out
behind, not always fluent, reminder after 5th, mistake 9th, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, reminder after next, behind 9th, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders until 6th, behind 9th, pulled up before 3 out
pressed leader, challenged 6th, led 8th (water), clear 2 out, hung right flat, driven out
mid-division, headway 7th, chased winner 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression 2 out, stayed on same pace
led until 8th (water), weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway 9th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on one pace approaching last
chased leaders, lost place 9th, weakened 4 out
Mighty Massini is taken to get the better of Nedzer's Return and Emergency Exit in an intriguing affair. Emergency Exit won on his first run for Philip Hobbs in good style in January, but that was on heavy ground, and time will tell if he is well handicapped. Nedzer's Return comes here on the back of two decisive Irish wins, though he made mistakes in the Foxhunters at Aintree before unseating his rider. On his handicap bow he is respected, though he too may prefer more cut in the ground. Mighty Massini's form has improved as the season has gone on, and he scored in Ireland, before running a sound race in defeat. His handicap mark looks competitive, and Mighty Massini looks the safest proposition.
Nikola (FR) 16-1 (10-1) In touch, pushed along after 8th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 16, 38l behind Chaninbar (10-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gs.
Emergency Exit (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leading pair, headway travelling well to lead 10th, clear after 4 out, very easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Double Hit (10-5) by 28l, 4 ran.
Brave Rebellion 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, led after 4 out, went right and mistake 3 out, went right 2 out, ridden out, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Raduis Bleu (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 4 ran.
Mighty Massini (IRE) 8-1 (9-10) Raced in 3rd until fell 5 out, in a race won by Golden Silver (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp chs hvy, 10 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hampered and lost place 13th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Reel Charmer (10-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 12 ran.
Nedzer's Return (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, hampered 6th, in 8th when unseated rider 12th (Canal Turn), in a race won by Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs, 21 ran.
Storymaker 13-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, chased leaders when hit 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 22l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 7-1 (9-13) Pressed winner, lost second after 4 out, outpaced after next, stayed on again under pressure flat, 5th of 7, 11l behind French Opera (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Quicuyo (GER) 13-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 6th of 13, 11l behind Et Maintenant (11-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Super Baby (FR) 17-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure flat to go 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 9, 17l behind Lightening Rod (11-9) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
