in touch, led 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on under pressure flat
tracked leaders, reminders 7th, went 2nd 3 out, ridden, every chance next, kept on same pace flat
led or disputed lead to 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden, kept on to go 3rd near finish, no impression
held up behind, outpaced 3 out, never dangerous
held up, outpaced 4 out, behind when pulled up after next
held up, headway 10th, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
led or disputed lead to 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next
held up, headway 5th, effort 3 out, 3rd, ridden next, no extra, lost 3rd near finish
Nonrunner
Course and distance winner Forever Eyesofblue can land this weak-looking handicap at the main expense of Ice Crystal and Polar Gale. The selection reverts to the smaller obstacles after a frustrating spell over fences and with his capable jockey claiming a valuable 7lbs, the 10-year-old can get his head back in front. He is guaranteed to stay the trip and with ground conditions to suit, he looks the likeliest winner. Polar Gale has won here before but isn't assured to stay the trip having disappointed last time out when stepped up in trip. However, the ground was very testing that day and with today's better ground expected to suit, he could run a big race at a price. Ice Crystal reverts to hurdles narrowly failing to get up last time out and while he doesn't appear totally straightforward, he stays well and looks a live danger. Silver Seeker tired when last tried over this distance but has been given a break since and has the ability to go well, whilst Snake Rave will need to bounce back from a poor effort last time out but drying ground should see him go well. In an open contest then, we will return to Forever Eyesofblue to land the spoils.
Ice Crystal 16-1 (10-10) Towards rear, headway 13th, driven and ran on close home, 3rd of 9, 3/4l behind Hibernian (11-3) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gd.
Forever Eyesofblue 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, ridden 2 out, disputing 2nd when blundered last, kept on flat, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Trading Trouble (11-6) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Polar Gale (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in touch, weakening when not fluent 7th, tailed off, 10th of 15, well behind Iwillrememberyou (10-7) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb.
Snake Rave (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Soon chasing leaders, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Iwillrememberyou (10-7) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb.
Lazy But Lively (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, 42l behind Star Fever (11-0) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Silver Seeker (USA) 6-1 (11-2) In rear, headway 8th, weakening when hampered 2 out, 6th of 13, 28l behind Oscar The Boxer (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Rowan Castle 20-1 (9-9) Towards rear, took close order 8th, weakened when blundered 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Ice Melted (11-10) at Bangor 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
Silver Bow 20-1 (10-5) Held up, headway before 3 out, chased leaders next, soon weakened, 9th of 17, 9l behind Stars Delight (11-3) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Ulusaba 33-1 (11-3) Always behind, struggling halfway and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Nevada Red (10-4) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
