not fluent, made most until mistake and headed 5th, led again 7th, clear after 4 out, pressed 2 out, pushed along in narrow lead when blundered and fell last
took keen hold, tracked leaders until blundered and lost place 5th, soon recovered to track leaders, close 3rd on inside when ran out 8th
took keen hold, soon prominent, hit 7th, soon dropped to rear, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
held up in touch, not flent 9th, weakened soon after 4 out, mistake 2 out, tailed off when fell last
chased leaders, led 5th until 7th, chased leader, mistake 4 out, lost 2nd soon after, left modest 2nd last
in touch, headway to track leaders 9th, jumped slowly 11th, went 2nd after 4 out, closed on leader and going best when left well clear last
EARTH PLANET is certainly not bombproof but he at least stays this trip and is preferred to Vodka Brook and Dover's Hill. The last-named is an interesting rival after a good second to Summery Justice at Kempton however there must be a doubt about him over this trip in testing ground as all of his best form is over shorter. Instead then we prefer Earth Planet who was poor at Chepstow when last seen but his earlier hurdling form over this sort of trip was promising (especially a second to Lie Forrit in November) and he should run well with Ruby Walsh back in the saddle. Former point-to-point winner Mooncoin Man needs a market check on his chasing debut, whilst Procas De Thaix has run in some good races but has been outclassed on each occasion. Vodka Brook has failed to complete on his last two starts and was certainly well-held when coming a cropper here last time out. He looks a little tripless to be perfectly honest and connections will do well to find a race to win, although obviously his third to Bakbenscher is form that gives him a chance. An open start to the day, with the nod going to Earth Planet.
Dover's Hill 9-4fav (11-0) Made most, joined 3 out, narrowly headed before last, regained lead as winner not fluent, kept on well until headed near finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Summery Justice (11-0) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chase (4) gs in Feb.
Earth Planet (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in 5th, headway to 3rd at 9th, pushed along after 12th, left modest 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 31l behind Mark The Book (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec.
Lonesome Boatman (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 14th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd flat, stayed on, 2nd of 16, nk behind Gerrard (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Mar '09.
Mooncoin Man (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Led to 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Officier De Reserve (10-12) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '08.
Procas de Thaix (FR) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, weakened approaching 4 out, last of 5, 28l behind Cornas (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f chs (2) sft in Dec.
To Arms 20-1 (10-12) Always in rear, tailed off from 10th, 4th of 8, well behind Latanier (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov stks (3) gs in Feb.
Vodka Brook (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, every chance bypassing omitted 3 out, disputing, beaten 2nd when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by King's Forest (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chase (4) gs in Feb, 6 ran.
