mostly tracked leading pair, headway, going well approaching 3 out, upside next, challenging when left in narrow lead last, driven out flat
led undisputed to 4 out, chased leader after, rallied approaching 2 out, soon challenging, left 2nd and slightly hampered last, no extra flat
held up, chased leading trio from 11th, blundered 17th and mistake next, no impression after 4 out, left moderate 3rd last
led undisputed, definite lead 4 out, not fluent, ridden and strongly pressed 2 out, still holding narrow lead when fell last
outpaced and dropped to rear 11th, never going well after, tailed off
Howrwenow is preferred here to Reflected Glory and Cousin Nicky. The selection showed a terrific attitude to land the spoils at Exeter last time when he beat Charlies Future. That win came on heavy ground so we know he will handle the conditions and he should also be sharper for the run as he was returning from a break that day. Reflected Glory was let down by his jumping at Leicester last time when he chased home Millenaire. He has the ability to win this but he will need to be more fluent over the obstacles if he is to get his head in front today. Cousin Nicky won well on heavy ground at Cheltenham last time and his stable are in red hot form at present so he has to be considered. Merchants Friend is returning from a long break so will be better for this run and Howrwenow is taken as our choice to lead them home.
Reflected Glory (IRE) 5-6fav (12-0) Tracked leaders,, led 10th, headed 2 out, blundered last, weakened flat, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Millenaire (12-0) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) sft in Feb '06.
Howrwenow (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Held up behind leaders, took closer order 9th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, all out, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb beating Charlies Future (10-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Merchants Friend (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 10th, mistake 17th, some headway approaching 3 out, 4th and no impression when fell 2 out in race won by Double Honour (11-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Dec '05, 8 ran.
Cousin Nicky 12-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, headway 7th, blundered 2 out, beaten when mistake last, 5th of 10, 8l behind Whispered Secret (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Tanterari (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Never going well in rear, lost touch from 16th, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Irish Raptor (11-8) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
