disputed lead until led 5 out, headed before 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, hit 11th and 12th, blundered next, soon under pressure, rallied 4 out, chased winner next, weakened last
frequently jumped right, disputed lead until headed 5 out, soon ridden, led again before 3 out, ridden clear last, easily
tracked leaders, ridden before 5 out, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out
There are only five runners in this but it's an interesting contest. HUNTERS LODGE has been going well against more experienced chasers and a set of blinkers might just inspire him to get his head back in front today - his yard had a good Cheltenham. Grouse Lodge won on his chasing bow at Towcester but was beaten a long way at Warwick subsequently and lost a match at Ayr last month while Firebird Flyer seems better over hurdles. Savant Bleu finished second at Newbury after beating a subsequent winner at Fakenham, however, and should be threat while Honest John could figure if recapturing the form he showed when beating Chac Du Cadran at Doncaster in November.
Grouse Lodge (IRE) 8-13fav (10-12) Made all, clear before 4 out, ridden before next, stayed on strongly, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs 0-125 (4) sft in Feb beating Ros Castle (10-12) by 9l, 2 ran.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, struggling 11th, lost touch and pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Safran De Cotte (10-11) at Chepstow 3m nov chs 0-125 (4) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Hunters Lodge (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Towards rear, pushed along before 12th, plugged on from 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 10l behind Relax (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Savant Bleu (FR) 13-2 (11-2) Went right 1st, in touch, headway to chase approaching 4 out, led 2 out, strongly pressed last, hung left and headed run-in, not pace of winner, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Twirling Magnet (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Honest John 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leader until 7th, ridden 11th, weakened next, tailed off when blundered last, 6th of 8, well behind The Black Baron (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
