tracked leaders, hampered when left in 2nd at 5th, led 13th, strongly challenged approaching 4out, driven clear 2 out, eased towards finish
held up in rear, in touch when hampered and brought down 5th
led when fell 5th
chased leaders, hampered when left in lead 5th, headed 13th, pressed winner 16th, effort 4 out, soon under pressure, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, jumped slowly 2nd, hampered when brought down 5th
Overton Lad has clear claims but we'll take him on with FINBIN whilst Greenandredparson is not without a prayer. Finbin was struggling for form prior to Christmas but, after seemingly needing his reappearance, has recaptured his best form this spring and could be worth keeping on side. He had Haspar a long way behind when running on well to win at Hexham on his penultimate start before being sent over hurdles at Wetherby where he beat all bar a bang in-form and progressive rival. He has relatively few miles on the clock and promises to stay this far. The trip seems unlikely to pose any problems for the penalised Overton given the way that he bounded up the Towcester hill last time but it wasn't the strongest of races and he does have to contend with the extra weight. Greenandredparson has made the frame in each of his last three completed starts over fences so enters calculations on that score but it's hard to know what to expect from Solway Bee on this belated debut over birch.
Finbin (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Soon back in mid-division, in rear and niggled along 5th, hampered 10th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Flying Doctor (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hld 0-95 (5) gd.
Greenandredparson (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Not fluent, tracked leaders in 3rd, tracked winner 6th until 8th, every chance approaching last, no extra last 100 yards, last of 3, 2 1/2l behind Gilsland (10-9) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs (3) gd.
Solway Bee 3-1fav (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 43l behind Ballymacduff (11-2) at Perth 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Hasper 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hit 9th, headway 13th, outpaced 2 out, stayed on under pressure to chase leading pair before last, never on terms, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Finbin (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Overton Lad 8-1 (10-9) Not fluent early, mostly chased leader, led after 3 out, clear next, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Von Galen (11-11) by 10l, 10 ran.
Sierra Peak (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 14th, soon weakened, 11th of 14, well behind Lindseyfield Lodge (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f sll hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
