took keen hold, not fluent 1st, led approaching 2nd, not fluent 5th, mistake 2 out, soon headed, stayed on same pace last
led until approaching 2nd, tracked leader, blundered 8th, mistake next, lost 2nd 10th, soon struggling, well behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear, headway 9th, ridden and switched left approaching 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, reminders and lost touch after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
took keen hold, held up, tracked leading pair 3rd, not fluent 7th, hampered next, hit 9th, led after 2 out, ridden out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, jumped right next, weakened 3 out
The majority of those going to post have a question or two to answer and ASH HIGH could not be a confident selection as a result. Michigan Assassin has obvious claims whilst Stratford Stroller and Little Al cannot be ignored. Michigan Assassin is the horse to start with as he carries a penalty for a recent win over fences at Ffos Las which is more than can be said for most of the opposition. That was his first start over fences so there may well be more to come but he may not prove as deadly with the extra burden to carry. Stratford Stroller didn't fare anywhere near as well on debut over fences whilst Little Al is jumping the larger obstacles for the first time in public but both represent leading yards and can't be dismissed out of hand. Bold Policy hails from a yard going well so is another well worth considering but Ash High is put forwards in the hope that he can leave the modest form of his two previous runs over fences behind and make the most of the weight that he receives.
Michigan Assassin (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, led 2nd, driven before 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied gamely last, stayed on to lead flat, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf beating Putney Bridge (11-10) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Oscar Royal (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, led and clear early, headed when jumped slowly 10th, weakened after 4 out, left remote 2nd last, 2nd of 5, well behind Hivikos (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hts chs (6) gd in May.
Stratford Stroller (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, mistake 9th, soon not much room, blundered 11th, ridden in 6th 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 8, 37l behind Pilgrims Lane (12-2) at Stratford 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Little Al 12-1 (11-7) In touch on outside, ridden after 6th, weakening when jumped slowly next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Earcomesthedream (10-13) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Mar, 13 ran.
Bold Policy (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along after 10th and outpaced, ridden 3 out, headway next, went 3rd approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Neutrino (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Ash High (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Led briefly after 1st, pressed leader, left in lead 11th, headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Gerrard (10-4) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in May.
