held up, mistake 1st, closer order when hampered 11th, stayed on from 3 out, took 2nd last, gaining and just failed
towards rear, blundered 2nd, headway 9th, mistake when chasing leader 14th, led approaching 2 out, held on
led, hung left on bend after 9th, narrowly headed when fell 11th
held up, headway 8th, chased winner 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, hampered 11th, headway soon after, one pace 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 12th, ridden next, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 6th, weakened 13th
towards rear, raced wide, ridden and effort 10th, hampered next, weakened 14th
tracked leader, led 11th, ridden when hit 3 out, headed soon after, weakened 2 out
SOLID AS A ROCK could provide us with a bit of value against the likely favourite Nevada Red; Brumous is another to consider. Nevada Red should relish these conditions and has made the frame five times in fourteen starts over fences but has only converted one of those runs and he may be confined to a supporting role once again. The selection hails from a small yard that has an excellent record at the track and Solid As A Rock is a course and distance winner himself. His run last month was his first since that success in 2006 and should have done him the world of good. He has a bright young prospect in the saddle and everything looks in place for a big run. Brumous is very well treated these days but does need to show some signs of returning to form whilst reasonable cases can be constructed for both Kiltimoney and Blunham Hill on the pick of their form. Maori Legend may be a shade high in the weights following back to back successes last season, including one over course and distance, but is worth a second look on her return from a break. Support would make her of interest but, either way, we'll be siding with Solid As A Rock.
Maori Legend 16-1 (11-5) Always in rear, ridden 7th, mistake 10th, behind from 13th, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Top Dawn (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in May, 17 ran.
Plum Pudding (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, lost touch with leading trio from 10th, tailed off next, 6th of 7, well behind What A Friend (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Nevada Red 13-2 (10-13) Led, clear 14th, ridden approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 14, 6l behind Blaze Ahead (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Brumous (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 14th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 19l behind Peut Etre Sivola (11-9) at Warwick 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Solid As A Rock 10-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, behind 10th, 7th of 11, 23l behind Artipreuil (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Badly hampered 1st, saddle slipped and pulled up at the 2nd in race won by Hello Bud (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs, 16 ran.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) In touch, lost place 6th, ridden after 11th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Peut Etre Sivola (11-9) at Warwick 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Mr Parson (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Behind from 6th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Ballyfitz (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft.
Follow The Flow (IRE) 18-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 10th, weakened 14th, 6th of 14, 19l behind Blaze Ahead (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
