in touch, led 2nd to 5th, ridden and lost place next, no impression from 3 out
in rear, struggling when jumped left 4th, lost touch 4 out, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd after last, no chance with leading pair
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, 7 length down in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider next
held up behind, headway to track leaders 3 out, soon driven and outpaced, no impression when left 3rd next, weakened and lost place after last
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 5th, headed 2 out, switched inside and ridden between last 2, rallied to regain lead last, stayed on flat
Venetia Williams' runners are always of interest at Towcester and COACH LANE can do his bit to enhance the theory; Croon is a sketchy jumper but is a threat at this level, while Nesnaas and Nawow are old hands in races of this nature and would be dangerous to underestimate. Nawow won a very modest contest on his penultimate start over fences but reverted to type when next seen out. He races off a similar mark today and, although he wins in his turn; his paydays have been very well spread out through his previous 68 races. Nesnaas loves a right-handed track and is on a winning mark just now. However, considering his victories have taken place on level surfaces such as Market Rasen and Wincanton, the testing nature of this stiff uphill finish may not be absolutely ideal for him at this stage of his career. Croon has been let down by his jumping on more than one occasion and this quick reappearance after unseating at Plumpton last week smacks of the need for a confidence booster. The son of Sindaar isn't a natural for the chasing game and has a bit to prove today. Therefore, it can pay to give Coach Lane another chance. The gelding is 3lb below his last winning mark and, as it's notable that latest success was achieved at Towcester, Coach Lane appeals as a prime candidate to rise to the challenge here.
Launde (IRE) 100-1 (12-0) Held up mid-division, struggling from 10th (Bechers Brook), behind when hampered by fallen jockey after 12th (Canal Turn) and unseated rider, in a race won by Silver Adonis (12-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hts chs (2) gs, 21 ran.
Nesnaas (USA) 8-1 (11-1) Chased leader to 3rd, close up, jumped left 5th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, beaten when jumped left last 2, 4th of 5, 24l behind Cortinas (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Nov.
Coach Lane 7-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, tracked leaders after 4th, weakened 4 out, 7th of 9, well behind Holmwood Legend (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Nawow 15-2 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 7th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 14, 45l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Croon 11-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until blundered and unseated rider 6th, in a race won by Tempting Paradise (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 7 ran.
Devils River (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led after 1st until 3rd, tracked leader, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 47l behind Jim Tango (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gs.
