never going well, soon ridden in rear, lost touch 10th
tracked leaders, mistake 10th, led approaching 2 out, ridden when jumped left last, soon headed, one pace
held up, keen, brief headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, reminder 6th, lost place 9th, weakened after 3 out
led, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 9th, ridden to lead after last, stayed on
A very weak affair may see Ashgar oblige ahead of Lancashire Lass and Southerndown. Ashgar, a former Flat winner, was fourth in last year's Summer National at Uttoxeter, but since then has deteriorated, his latest victory being a desperate selling contest at Wetherby last November. The fact that we put him up as the selection shows just how bad this affair is, with Lancashire Lass best of the rest. She is still a maiden but will at least appreciate the step up in trip after being edged out in a photo at Newton Abbot in a mares' only novice hurdle recently. Southerndown was a beaten favourite over fences at Worcester when pulled up and has a spin over timber but it is hard to enthuse about his chance. In a dire contest, we return to Ashgar as the pick.