led, headed after 1st, chased leader approaching 2 out, faded after last
held up mid-division, chased leaders 3rd, weakened approaching last
tracked leader, led after 1st, ridden and hung left after last, headed last 50 yards
held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened quickly approaching 2 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out, soon eased, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, bumped after last, hard ridden to lead last 50 yards
Nonrunner
In the last the verdict goes the way of BLAST THE PAST ahead of Toss The Caber and Programme Girl. The pick returns to an attempt over timber after landing a chase over course and distance last time. Some what of a course specialist, with two wins from five starts as well as a place, the six-year-old is now rated seven pounds lower over timber than he is over fences and the form from his penultimate start over the smaller obstacles stands up well so things look good for his record here to improve further. Toss The Caber put in a good performance on his seasonal debut last time after over a year out. He was always going to need a run before he got his head in front and after that performance he should be close to doing that here. Programme Girl returns to her optimum trip after an aberration last time out. That was a first appearance back after injury so can be forgiven and a return to last season's form will give her more than a chance. Even so the vote goes to Blast The Past.
Toss The Caber (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until 5th, remained prominent, every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Roisin's Prince (10-9) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Royal Flynn 16-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hit 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 25l behind Bolodenka (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Blast The Past 4-1fav (11-1) Tracked leader throughout, stayed on to lead last, ridden clear flat, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov beating Cedar Rapids (9-9) by 10l, 10 ran.
P'Tit Vouster (FR) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 16, 22l behind Burnt Oak (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Charlie Tango (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 8th of 9, well behind Prince Linamix (10-10) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Longdale 18-1 (11-2) In touch, lost place 5th, soon behind, 8th of 13, 44l behind Prosecco (11-7) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Nevsky Bridge 15-2 (11-11) Held up, headway 4th, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and jumped left last, faltered and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Viscount Rossini (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Programme Girl (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Keen early, held up mid-division, blundered 3rd, weakened 3 out, soon tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Tension Point (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
