soon chasing leader, led 3rd, headed after 4 out, weakend after 3 out, soon eased
chased leaders, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
led to 3rd, chased leader after, led just after 4 out, soon ridden, headed last, not quicken
held up and behind, headway 9th, every chance 3 out, jumped left 2 out, disputing 3rd and beaten when mistake last
behind, stumbled badly 4th, tailed off 6th, jumped left 7th
mid-division, headway 7th, outpaced and lost place 3 out, no danger after
prominent, lost place 3rd, progress again 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, hung left before 2 out, led last, driven out
Fier Normand gets the vote here ahead of Lord Henry and Hilltime. Lightly-raced, and presumably a bit fragile, Fier Normand also has plenty of ability, as evidenced by his career record of three wins from six starts, including a chasing debut success at Ludlow in October. It could be that the handicapper has been fair in assessing him at 120. Lord Henry fell here last time but had looked good prior to that when scoring at Ascot and he should be considered today, as should Hilltime, who has won here over hurdles and who put up a good effort over fences at Southwell three runs ago, although he is now three pounds higher than when having run there. With Marrel, who has won at this track, possibly better over further, Mange Tout probably better on softer going, and Salinas needing to put a disappointing Newton Abbot run from four days ago behind him, we return to the selection, which is Fier Normand.
Lord Henry (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) In touch when fell at the 5th in race won by Forest Green (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May, 13 ran.
Hilltime (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Led to 3rd, left in lead 4th, headed 6th, weakened approaching next, 6th of 12, 10l behind Lord Baskerville (11-3) at Aintree 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Ease The Way 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 5, 23l behind Avesomeofthat (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Fier Normand (FR) 4-5fav (11-0) Held up, headway after 13th, jumped left 2 out, hard ridden to lead towards finish, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct beating Keepthedreamalive (10-11) by 1l, 6 ran.
Marrel 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped left 3rd, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 7th of 15, 14l behind Accumulate (10-0) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Salinas (GER) 8-1 (11-10) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 8l behind Kety Star (11-12) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3).
Mange Tout (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, disputing 2nd when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Barbers Shop (11-6) at Southwell 2m 1f hdl (4) gd, 12 ran.
