chased leader, hit 4th, soon lost 2nd, last and well outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on flat
never travelling or jumping with any fluency, soon last, stumbled 9th, well behind, well beaten when pulled up before 2 out
made most, ridden after 3 out, driven and joined next, headed last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, hit 8th, driven before 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 5th, challenged 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
held up, smooth headway to track leading pair soon after 4 out, challenged on bit, no fluent 2 out, led last, never came off the bit
COACH LANE is chanced in the hope that he can bounce back to form in a race where most of the runners should have their supporters. Warpath is up against it on recent evidence but he has ability and has accounted for decent sorts like Pearl King and Something Wells in his time as a chaser. He's certainly won more races than Its Crucial who has made the frame nine times over fences but has just the one gold medal in his cabinet. This is a less competitive race than many he's contested but his record is a worry. The worry about I Hear A Symphony is the fact that he fell here last time and that he hasn't reached the heights that might have once been expected of him but he does have claims here. Pepsyrock looked a weak finisher at Kempton and could be overrated whilst Mylord Collonges has gone up a fair way in the weights and may find the best of these too strong if they run to their best. Coach Lane has been a shade disappointing of late but has a good strike rate over fences and should be ideally suited by conditions. His recent run at Ascot was desperate but it's interesting to see him turned out again so quickly and, with doubts surrounding all of his opponents, it may be worth seeing if Coach Lane can turn that form around.
Warpath (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Pulled up, chased leaders, hit 2nd, gradually lost place, behind 6th, hampered next and pulled up 5 out in race won by Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
I Hear A Symphony (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up when fell at the 4th in race won by Lorient Express (10-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Coach Lane 5-1 (11-5) Never travelling, soon in 5th, blundered 3rd, well behind when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Consigliere (11-10) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 6 ran.
Its Crucial (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway to go mid-division approaching 9th, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 12, 20l behind Nacarat (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Mylord Collonges (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) In touch, headway 13th, jumped slowly 4 out, ridden and chased winner approaching 3 out, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Alcatras (10-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Pepsyrock (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, found little, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Fix The Rib (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.