not fluent, well behind, headway under pressure and just in touch 13th, no chance when blundered 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged 8th, blundered and lost place 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
close up, mistake 8th, weakened before 15th
prominent until blundered 4th, not jump well and not going well after, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 14th, close up next, weakened soon after 3 out
behind, headway under pressure approaching 14th, chased winner 3 out, one pace and no impression next
led to 14th, outpaced next, brief effort after 3 out, soon beaten, blundered last
chased leader, until blundered and lost place 5th, weakened 10th, pulled up before 13th
held up in rear, headway to track leaders 12th, led 14th, in command before 2 out, stayed on well
tracked leaders, challenged 10th until weakened after 14th
well in rear, led on under pressure from 3 out, took 3rd before last, no chance
Sure Future gets the vote over Grumpy Stumpy, with Ballybrophy, Boardroom Dancer and Flinders best of the rest. Sure Future gained the last of his three wins over hurdles in easy fashion at Kempton in December 2002, but since then has failed to trouble the judge. However, he is much better treated over fences, and showed signs of improvement over the course and distance last time when second to Walking Sunday. It was nothing to get excited about, but he may well figure off his current mark. Grumpy Stumpy displayed plenty of stamina when lasting home at Towcester in December, and then did well to follow up at Newbury. A rise in the weights found him out at Kempton, but the return to a longer trip will be in his favour and so he rates the main danger. Ballybrophy is an out-and-out stayer who finished seventh in last year's Scottish National. He has shown modest form since then, but the fitting of a tongue-strap here last time brought about some improvement, and he may well figure in the finish. Boardroom Dancer will need the run, having been off since landing a beginners' chase at Southwell in December, while Flinders bids to atone after unseating his pilot four out when going well at Fontwell last time and has winning form to his name. In what should be a close contest, we side with Sure Future.
Alpine Slave 8-1 In touch until 12th, soon behind, 9th of 11, 28l behind Twisted Logic at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
Grumpy Stumpy 11-4fav With leader, blundered badly 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Lodestar at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Boardroom Dancer (IRE) 6-5fav Made all, clear approaching 3 out, pecked last, easily, won at Southwell 3m beg chs (E) gf in Dec '03 beating Quincy's Perk by 15l, 3 ran.
Sure Future 6-1 Raced wide, in touch, stayed on approaching 4 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Walking Sunday at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Mar.
Flinders 6-1 Tracked leader, left in lead after 4th, headed 14th, ridden next, close up when stumbled and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Multi Talented at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
Ballybrophy (IRE) 11-2 Led and driven along throughout, headed 4 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 6, 17l behind Hurlers Cross at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd in Mar.
Robber (IRE) 4-1jt-fav Held up, headway 7th, outpaced 12th, rallied 17th, one pace from 5 out, 5th of 12, well behind Dun Locha Castle at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Mar.
Maidstone Monument (IRE) 14-1 Led, headed 11th, behind and pulled up 3 out in race won by Don't Tell Jr at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
