with leader until pulled up approaching 7th
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, every chance when pecked 3 out, soon weakened
hit 4th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
mid-division, headway 8th, led on bit approaching 2 out, jumped right and mistake last, soon clear, eased towards finish
behind, headway 8th, ridden 2 out, weakened last
held up, mistake 1st, headway when not fluent 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened before next
mid-division, headway 4th, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, hampered approaching 7th, rallied 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, 2 lengths down when jumped slowly last, one pace
made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
Mumbling can prove the best of Brendan Powell's pair, with Earlsfield Raider and Ungaretti others to conjure with. Although Brendan Powell's other runner Homeleigh Mooncoin shaped well when second at Southwell, that was in selling company and on past form, Mumbling is much preferred. A tough sort on the Flat for Mark Tompkins a few years ago, he has yet to win over timber, but to be fair has had only limited outings. He very nearly opened his account at Exeter last October, and will be all the sharper for two recent outings on the Flat. He meets nothing special and should at last open his account over hurdles. Earlsfield Raider was a beaten favourite on his last outing over hurdles and is also fit from a run on the level last month, so can give the selection a fight, while Ungaretti was second to a better-fancied rival at Newton Abbot last time and is another that can play a part without being good enough to stop Mumbling from having a major say.
