mostly pressed leader until led approaching 4 out, headed next, moved back upsides before 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, led flat, stayed on
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, mistake and unseated rider 8th
led, hit 12th, headed before next, regained lead 3 out, joined when hard ridden and edged left after 2 out, headed flat, no extra
prominent, took keen hold, last before 6th, hit next, soon weakened, left remote 3rd 8th, tailed off
PICTURE IN THE SKY is the pick ahead of Freddies Return and Helm. Sue Nock's representative does have a bit to prove but he was a very smart hurdler on his day and if he can run anywhere near his mark in the high 120's from that discipline, he should be good enough to see off this disappointing turnout. Freddies Return handles very soft going with no particular concerns. Unfortunately, there is no hiding from the the unseat and the pulled up that have accompanied his last two visits to the racecourse. Helm probably ran above himself in the Devon National. He would be much better treated were this a handicap but his jumping is less sketchy than most. Thyne Spirit needs all the others to come to grief in order to win this and as he is rated just 58, the aim will be to potter around and claim some prize money. Picture In The Sky has to be the pick in an uninspiring opener.
Freddies Return (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always in rear, struggling after 9th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 3 out, in a race won by Sharajan (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Helm (IRE) 17-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, steady headway 13th, chased leaders from 4 out, went 3rd and hit last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Teeming Rain (10-10) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, pushed approaching 9th, ridden and blundered 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 12l behind Awesome George (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Pressed leader until 2nd, soon last, mistake when losing touch 6th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Tisfreetdream (10-12) at Warwick 3m nov chs (3) sft.
