in touch, disputed 2nd 9th to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, mistake and lost place 3rd, tailed off and pulled up 12th
behind, headway 4th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
prominent to 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
led, ridden after 3 out, jumped right last, headed and no extra flat
mid-division, lost place and mistake 5th, soon behind
behind, headway 7th, ridden in 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place 7th, soon ridden, rallied approaching 2 out, stayed on well to led towards finish
prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, ridden to lead briefly flat, no extra
Meggie's Beau, Onyourheadbeit and Blunham Hill look the three to concentrate on in this trappy affair and the vote is given to Maggie's Beau. The selection was slightly disappointing behind the well handicapped Bannow Strand last time out. However this looks easier and under her optimum conditions he looks the one to be on. Onyourheadbeit rates the main danger on his latest second behind Avitta but that horse like the selection is trained by Venitia Williams so she should know where she stands. Blunham Hill goes well at the track but looks weighted up to his best. Of the remainder Fiori ran well over the national fences last time and remains on a handy mark so should be noted in the market but t in a tough race to call for the winner we return to Maggie's Beau.
Fiori 100-1 (10-3) In touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden to go 2nd last, hung left and stayed on flat, 2nd of 23, 2 1/2l behind Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs.
Major Benefit (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, chased leader 9th, lost place 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 5th of 7, 8l behind Moustique de L'Isle (11-2) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy.
Onyourheadbeit (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led 2nd, mistake 14th, ridden and headed 2 out, beaten when eased flat, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Avitta (10-13) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (D) sft.
Meggie's Beau (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden from 4 out, soon held, 7th of 16, 25l behind Bannow Strand (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs.
Jack Fuller (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, blundered 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Paddy The Optimist (9-13) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Apr, 9 ran.
Surefast 8-1 (11-5) In touch, took closer order 9th, led 4 out until next, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 20l behind Bay Island (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Oct.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) In touch, lost place 9th, weakened 11th, in rear and jumped badly left 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Naunton Brook (11-8) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Oct.
Runaway Bishop (USA) 20-1 (10-9) Always behind, 4th of 9, 30l behind Channahrlie (9-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf.
