mistake 1st, chased winner 2nd, jumped slowly and lost 2nd and 3rd, close 4th and still going well when fell 4 out
prominent, chased winner 3rd to 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, headway 5th, went 2nd next, led after 2 out, carried head high and headed close home
led, ridden after 3 out, headed after 2 out, stayed on to regain lead close home
A tight-looking handicap can go to Dun An Doras over Jack Martin, Imaginaire and Arctic Spirit. Dun An Doras lines up with a comfortable success at Stratford under his belt and Jimmy Frost's gelding should be capable of another win or two before the handicapper takes a grip. He still looks well weighted at present considering that he has been keeping company with the likes of Monkerhostin and Palouse, and should go well again. Jack Martin is less experienced over fences and has more to do than when left clear by the fall of the odds-on Town Crier at Haydock. On the plus side he showed that he could handle those fences so will not have a problem in that department. Imaginaire gained his first victory in two years when successful in a poor race by Newbury standards, and was then last to complete when tackling the National fences in the Grand Sefton at Aintree in November. He still makes a bit more appeal than Arctic Spirit, but we return to Dun An Doras as the one with best claims overall.
