chased leaders, reminders after 7th and 9th, jumped slowly 10th, lost touch approaching 12th, well behind when pulled up before 13th
led, jumped left 9th, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened
held up, headway 14th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 10th, reminders after 12th, jumped left 13th, mistake 14th, hit 3 out, edged left and led last, edged left again flat, headed close home
prominent, ridden after 13th, weakened 3 out
raced keenly, mostly raced in 2nd, went wide and led before 2 out, headed last, stayed on to lead close home
held up and behind, mistake 14th, soon adrift, stayed on from 2 out
Metal Detector gets the confident vote here with Cockspur and Magic of Sydney rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out bwhen beating Aston, that form has since been franked and with the visor likely to bring about improvement he looks the one to be on. Cockspur rates the main danger on his best form but he was very disappointing last time out, however he could improve for the fitting of first time cheekpieces and he should be watched in the market. Magic Of Sydney is another thast could go well but he was behind the selection last time and although better off at the weights he still has plenty to find. Of the others Colonel Sparks is from a shrewd in form yard and could go well at a price but for the winner we return to Metal Detector who has plenty in his favour and will be hard to beat.
Metal Detector (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, led 9th, headed 12th, remained close up, led before 2 out, clear well before last, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf beating Aston (11-5) by 14l, 7 ran.
Magic of Sydney (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led to 6th, losing place when hampered on bend after 9th, last when jumped slowly 10th, mistake 14th, stayed on one pace from approaching 2 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Metal Detector (11-10) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Colonel Sparks (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Always behind, mistake 8th, ridden 5 out, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ballysheedy (9-11) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 gd in Sept, 14 ran.
Cockspur (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) In touch, driven and weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Black Collar (10-7) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Missy Moscow (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Led, mistake and headed 12th, struggling from 4 out, left 15 lengths 2nd 2 out, still 6 lengths adrift last, stayed on to lead flat, won at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gf beating Gemini Storm (11-2) by 4l, 4 ran.
Earcomesannie (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, headway to track leaders and hampered 9th, mistake 11th, blundered 5 out, kept on one pace, not fluent last, 3rd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Joris De Vonnas (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Auditor 28-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden to lead after 14th, joined 3 out, soon headed and weakened, 5th of 15, 9l behind Joris De Vonnas (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Alf's Spinney 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, well behind Go Harvey Go (10-13) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
