held up towards rear, good headway on inner 5th, went 2nd next, led 8th, made rest, 1 length ahead when left 6 lengths clear 3 out, hit next, stayed on well
in touch, tracked leading quartet travelling well after 4 out, disputing 2nd from 2 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner
tracked leader, led 3rd, until 8th, chased winner after, 1 length down in 2nd when fell 3 out
in touch, dropped to rear and struggling after 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, left 3rd 3 out, disputing 2nd from next, kept on under pressure flat, no chance with winner
led until not fluent and headed 3rd, chased leader until 6th, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 7th, driven and weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, steady headway 6th, chased leading pair after 4 out, left 6 lengths down in 2nd 3 out, weakened and lost modest 2nd 2 out
The switch to fences seemed to suit HOLMWOOD LEGEND and he is selected ahead of Vic's World and Sir Bumble. This looks a very winnable race if truth be told and this son of Midnight Legend should be well-treated under his 7lb penalty, as he is due to go up another 2lb in the future. He sauntered home here last week and under similar conditions another bold bid is anticipated. Katalak's best efforts have arguably come on quicker ground, Vic's World was a fine second to Noun De La Thinte at Lingfield last time out (up 4lbs for that), whilst Final Bid has contested better races but has been thoroughly outclassed each time. Local Present needs to improve for the drop in trip, Sir Bumble is more consistent and he handles the ground well, whilst Compton Star is respected on his chasing debut but he isn't exactly bred for the bigger obstacles. Holmwood Legend has a far more appealing profile and he looks worth a bet.
Holmwood Legend 8-1 (11-0) Held up in 4th and off the pace, good headway to track leader 8th, led 10th, (3 out), soon in command, stayed on well (no time taken), won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb beating Mon Chevalier (11-9) by 28l, 11 ran.
Katalak (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 7th, headway approaching 4 out, beaten last, 6th of 15, 14l behind Cesium (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Vic's World (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, headway to 3rd approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, closed as winner eased towards finish, never any chance, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Noun De La Thinte (12-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Final Bid (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Prominent early, behind from 7th, tailed off when blundered 11th, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Latanier (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov stks (3) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Local Present (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mid-division when reminders after 7th, headway to chase leaders 9th, under pressure next, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Quel Bruere (11-12) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Led until 5th, led 8th until hit next, beaten approching 4 out, left 3rd last, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Categorical (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb.
Compton Star 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, behind from 6th, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Ban Uisce (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Sparkbridge (IRE) 80-1 (9-9) Always rear division, tailed off, 7th of 13, 48l behind Ban Uisce (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
