tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden to press winner approaching 3 out, stayed on flat
led, headed 6th, led 8th till next, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 10, weakened after 12th
held up in touch, mistake 10th, ridden approaching next, 3rd and weakening when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
in touch till 8th, behind and blundered 10th, immediately pulled up
always prominent, led 6th, headed 8th, led next, hung left and ridden after 4 out, stayed on well
Martin Pipe and Jamie Moore are a dangerous combination in this sort of race, and it might be worth taking a chance that Sullane Storm can finally get his act together. The ex-Irish gelding has shown little to get excited about in his four starts for Martin Pipe, but was in the process of running a decent race the time before last before falling five out, and ran well for a long way in the Devon National last time, when he was reported to have broken a blood vessel. This trip should be more to his liking and he is now on a nine pound lower mark than at the start of the season. Many of the opposition have some chance on their best form but haven't shown it for some time, but the pick of them could be Dead Eyed Dick. He won with plenty in hand at Exeter in December, and would have probably followed up but for falling three out at Cheltenham on his next start. That fall, however, seems to have affected his confidence and he has been disappointing on his last two starts, but if he could return to his earlier form he would be a major player here. Auburn Spirit handles this ground and would have claims on his second at Plumpton two starts ago, but was below that form on his latest start.