soon in mid-division, headway after 6th, challenged 10th until ridden next, weakened 3 out
in rear, blundered 1st, reminders after 7th, blundered 9th, headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next
made all, driven after 2 out, in command flat, stayed on gamely
chased leaders, mistake 10th, soon ridden, mistake next, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 8th, jumped slowly 10th, lost place 11th, rallied 2 out, soon no impression
in touch, pecked 6th and lost place, reminders 9th, weakened after 11th, mistake 2 out, tailed off
towards rear, hit 2nd, not fluent next, reminder after 4th, behind 10th
mid-division, headway after 6th, hit 8th and 9th, stayed on under pressure flat, went 2nd near finish
disputed lead early, prominent, lost place after 6th, behind 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 9th, chased winner approaching 3 out, no impression flat, lost 2nd near finish
in rear and not travelling well, mistake 4th, jumped slowly 8th, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
THE HOLLOW BOTTOM is no more than a hopeful choice in a competitive finale where Yeoman Spirit and Shammy Buskins merit close inspection. It's been a long time since connections of the selection were able to celebrate success but he's now 4lbs lower in the weights than when last successful and handles these conditions. This is his easiest task in a long while and he may be able to take advantage if he can recapture his form. That is a fairly big if given his recent efforts and Yeoman Spirit is sure to be popular following a good effort last time whilst Shammy Buskins was in good form when last seen although this trip may be on the short side for him. The Apprentice and Radetsky March can't be comfortably dismissed whilst Borora is more than good enough to walk away with this prize if he can roll back the years but the nominal pick is The Hollow Bottom.
The Hollow Bottom 9-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway approaching 8th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure 12th, soon weakened, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Soixante (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
The Apprentice (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, blundered badly 2nd, soon detached, hit 13th, headway next, went 4th approaching last, one pace, 4th of 8, 9l behind No Panic (11-6) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Mar.
Radetsky March (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) With leader, lost place 8th, weakened quickly and pulled up after next, in a race won by Saphir Des Bois (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (2) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
Yeoman Spirit (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, headway to lead after 14th, 2 lengths clear when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Phoenix Des Mottes (9-7) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Borora 6-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 4, 38l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Feb.
Porta Vogie (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent 6th,went right and not fluent 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Aitch Doubleyou (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 6 ran.
Quazy de Joie (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Keen early, soon steadied into 5th, not fluent 11th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out, dismounted, in a race won by Paddy's Tern (10-8) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar, 7 ran.
Shammy Buskins 4-7fav (11-12) Sometimes jumped right, led after 1st until 6th, led before 8th until 12th, mistakes 4 out and 3 out, soon not pace of winner, lost 2nd last, one pace, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Kisha King (11-3) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Double The Trouble 11-1 (11-6) Behind, not fluent 6th, headway 5out, mistake next, soon beaten, 6th of 9, well behind Holmwood Legend (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Incorporation 7-1 (11-11) With leaders early, lost place approaching and not fluent 5th, slightly hampered and reminders after next, soon chasing leaders, lost place from 8th, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Kinkeel (9-13) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Red Dynamite 3-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden and hit 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 6, 25l behind Bold Punt (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Mar.
Le Briar Soul (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Always in rear, struggling from 12th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Petroupetrov (11-2) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 16 ran.
King Jack 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, every chance from 12th, hard ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Power Shared (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 7 ran.
