with leader, ran in snatches, slow 3rd, mistake 13th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, modest 4th
chased leaders, driven to challenge 2 out, every chance last, kept on well closing stages
led, strongly challenged 2 out, headed before last, no extra towards finish
held up well in rear, 7 lengths detatched at 5th, blundered 9th, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led before 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, under pressure 5 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last
Finea may still technically be a novice but he's had 22 starts over fences and won three times, including two of the last three. He has a penalty for his latest victory at Musselburgh but should still be thereabouts again and holds Chanceofa Lifetime on the form book. Verko won over course and distance at the start of December and followed up at Carlisle nine days later. But two subsequent runs at Catterick suggest he is probably in the handicapper's grip now. ASHBRITTLE is jumping fences late in life but he has more class than today's rivals and, if rising to the new challenge, could be too good for these. Bolero Collonges is hard to fancy on his efforts to date.
Ashbrittle 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, driven when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Finea (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, challenged after 3 out, led next, 3 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Oscar Lateen (10-12) by 4l, 7 ran.
Chanceofa Lifetime (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, mistake next, kept on same pace, well held in 3rd from last, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Finea (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Verko (FR) 11-4fav (10-13) Detatched in rear, headway on outside 4 out, ridden after next, chased winner before last, kept on same pace, well held flat, 2nd of 6, 6l behind My Friend George (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Bolero Collonges (FR) 22-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.