led, headed 4 out, led again narrowly 2 out, ridden and ran on flat
with winner, ridden and every chance from 2 out, no extra near finish
tracked leading pair, led 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon hung right and one pace
led chasing group, lost touch after 3rd
FIX THE RIB was easily brushed aside by Master Minded in the Game Spirit Chase last time but, back over hurdles against a much less talented bunch, he should score with something to spare from Agente Romano and Whenever. Gary Moore's charge is a potent front runner when on song, as he showed when completing the four timer during an unbeaten novice campaign. He's returned to the track this season in similarly good form, winning a quality handicap in November off 145. All of his efforts over fences surpass anything achieved over hurdles, but it may just be that the horse has improved since last racing over timber and he has nothing to fear from the opposition here. Agente Romano could hold Whenever in the race for second. Evan Williams' charge loves to hear his hooves rattle and that just swings the balance in his favour, as the form he showed when winning a novice hurdle last September may not quite match that of Whenever. Richard Phillips' gelding won impressively over two miles on his hurdling bow before struggling last time over 2m5f. This in-between distance could prove ideal and he's another for whom the ground is no concern. The three mentioned should prove a cut above the others, with The Groovy Mule needing to come on for a debut fourth when no match for Voramar Two here. Raise Your Hopes looks nothing special on pedigree, Arctic Flow has shown next to nothing and Withymaid was beaten over 60 lengths on her sole hurdling effort. In receipt of 6lb, Fix The Rib rates banker material and can help boost the Cheltenham budget.
Agente Romano (USA) 15-8fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten when blundered last, 4th of 8, 7l behind Hayes Princess (10-5) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) gf in Oct.
Whenever 2-1fav (11-2) Chased leaders, took closer order 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 14, 10l behind Robo (10-4) at Southwell 2m 4f cond nov hdl 4yo+ (4) gd in Dec.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 3rd (water), headed 4th, stayed pressing leader, pushed along and outpaced 9th, kept on to press for well held 2nd flat, never any chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Master Minded (11-10) at Newbury 2m 1f chs G2 (1) gs in Feb.
Raise Your Hopes (IRE) Marignan gelding out of Valmai.
The Groovy Mule 66-1 (11-3) In touch, hit 6th, struggling 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, 23l behind Voramar Two (11-9) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Withymaid 50-1 (10-9) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, lost place after 4f, ran wide bend after 5f, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Black Jack Blues (10-11) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Apr.
Arctic Flow 50-1 (10-8) Always towards rear, lost touch approaching 7th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Thedeboftheyear (10-5) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hdl (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
