chased winner until 10th, went 2nd again after 2 out, no extra flat
held up in 4th, not fluent 1st, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 7th (water), soon ridden, lost touch from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in 3rd, chased winner 10th, challenging when jumped right 3 out, soon ridden and relegated to 3rd, weakened last
made all, ridden after 2 out, ran on well to draw clear from last
Nonrunner
This should not take a great deal of winning and is taken to go to NACIMO, who has solid claims if able to reproduce the sort of form that saw him find just Rash Moment too good at Uttoxeter earlier this month and he gets the verdict ahead of Cusp and Milton Des Bieffes. The last mentioned may appreciate the return to this venue where he was successful at the beginning of the month off just a 2lb lower mark than today before disappointing back over hurdles at Warwick last time. Henrietta Knight's Musical Chairs has yet to even be placed in any of his 10 starts so is hard to recommend, while Hever Road and Great Character are both capable but neither have shown any worthwhile form of late. Cusp disappointed at Taunton last time but was good value for his earlier success at Hereford, form on which he has to be respected but it is Nacimo that looks the one to beat.
Musical Chairs (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, 5th and weakening when blundered 2 out, 5th of 9, 38l behind Classic Role (11-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Great Character (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, lost place after 9th, weakened 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fresh Air And Fun (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Hever Road (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened after 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Super Road Train (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Cusp 3-1fav (11-1) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Sea Saffron (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 9 ran.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Jumped right 1st, led to 4th, stayed prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 18, 26l behind No Supper (11-1) at Warwick 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Nacimo (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led to 3rd, led 4th until not fluent 7th, not fluent and led 9th, headed 11th, led again 12th until 2 out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Rash Moment (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.