narrow lead, ridden after 13th, headed next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
pressed leader until stumbled and unseated rider 12th
held up in rear, jumped right 1st and not always fluent, mistake 8th, 6th and in touch 13th, weakened next, well beaten before 3 out, soon pulled up
chased leaders, blundered badly 12th, ridden next, no impression on winner when fought for 2nd 2 out, one pace last
held up, blundered 1st and 7th, hit 8th, hampered, stumbled and unseated rider 12th
held up, closed when not pecked slightly 11th, weakened after 5 out, well beaten before 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, headway 6th, left 2nd 12th, led 14th, in command 3 out, easily
chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind, pulled up after 10th
mid-division on outside, headway 6th, lost place when not fluent 11th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, went 2nd after 14th, stayed on same pace from out, well held by winner after 2 out
Predictive has a terrific record at this track, winning twice over hurdles and scoring over fences in November. He won't go down without a fight despite sharing top weight with Sarando, a winner at Plumpton in January and just beaten under a penalty at Fontwell last month. Zarrafakt has something to prove, however, after being pulled up on his latest start in November while Misstree Dancer unseated her rider at Haydock last time and is more exposed than some. But there hasn't been a lot wrong with Honourable Arthur's recent efforts as he was completing his hat-trick when scoring at Huntingdon last month and Stoney's Treasure certainly wasn't winning out of turn at Warwick just over three weeks ago. Maraafeq has won off a higher mark over hurdles but has been a shade disappointing over fences lately and COTTAGE ACRE is preferred. He won in a canter on his chase debut at Newbury and, though 15lb higher here, has the scope to go on to better things.
Predictive (FR) 4-6fav (11-7) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, headed before last, no extra, 2nd of 3, 4l behind Sir Tantallus Hawk (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy in Feb.
Sarando 15-8 (11-3) With leader, not fluent 2nd, soon chasing leaders, jumped slowly 5th, challenging when mistake 4 out, rallied 2 out, every chance last, kept on well towards finish, 2nd of 4, nk behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (2) gs in Feb.
Zarrafakt (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Held up behind, jumped right 5th, some headway under pressure approaching 5 out, weakened next, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Buffalo Bob (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Misstree Dancer 4-1 (11-9) Led, headed 5 out, chased winner and pecked 4 out, in 4th and held when looking one pace when blundered and unseated rider last, in a race won by Douglas Julian (10-2) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (2) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Cottage Acre (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Chased leader, led 6th, made rest, went right 9th, hit 2 out, came readily clear soon after, easily, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs beating Rimini (11-3) by 12l, 9 ran.
Honourable Arthur (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway to lead 6th, made most after, hard pressed 2 out, ridden and idled when jinked right after last, rallied when headed briefly flat, kept on towards finish, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Backfromthecongo (11-5) by 2l, 9 ran.
Stoney's Treasure 6-4fav (10-12) Held up in touch on outside, blundered 3rd, joined leader 13th, led narrowly 2 out, ridden and stayed on well to go clear flat, won at Warwick 3m nov chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating The Ferbane Man (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Maraafeq (USA) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, went handy 3rd approaching 4th, ridden after 13th, lost touch approaching 4 out, 3rd of 5, 31l behind Hector's Choice (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Sprint De Ferbet (FR) 17-2 (11-1) Always behind, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Coup Royale (10-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
In The Zone (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rearridden along 8th, some headway before 11th, ridden and weakened soon after 4 out, 7th of 9, 31l behind Cottage Acre (10-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs.
