led, headed approaching 2 out, soon no impression, left 2nd, weakening and slightly hampered last
chased leaders, mistake 8th, not fluent 14th, lost place next, weakened 17th
in touch, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 17th, narrow lead and looked likely winner when left clear last
chased leader to 16th, soon driven, weakened 3 out, left poor 3rd last
took keen hold, chased leaders, mistake 7th, went 2nd 16th, led approaching 2 out, narrowly headed when fell last
Nonrunner
MINELLA FOUR STAR isn't the quickest but this test should be right down his street and he's preferred to more experienced campaigners like Keenan's Future and Gaora Lane. Alan King has his yard in top form and this lightly raced gelding may be able to provide him with another winner. The winner of a point in Ireland, he has lacked the speed to be competitive over hurdles and was swiftly switched to chasing. His handicap bow at Huntingdon was a shade disappointing but he may prove capable of better at a different track over a longer trip. Keenan's Future has plenty of form to his name in similar contests, including when second here last time. He's up a few pounds in the weights but that shouldn't stop him from being competitive. Gaora Lane has been struggling in better races than this and may be able to get into the shake-up as may the maiden, Durante, who ran one of his better races last time. Sea Eagle has plenty to prove after a lacklustre run but The Gangerman is back in more realistic company with his yard in better form then when pulling up in a valuable race at Haydock. Woodlands Genpower's recent run of form came in gruelling conditions at Towcester and he looks opposable under these conditions. Only seven go to post but it's a competitive race which may see Minella Four Star make the requisite progress.
Gaora Lane (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, led 16th, headed 18th, weakened from 6 out, 7th of 19, 24l behind Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Durante (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, soon every chance, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Never So Blue (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Sea Eagle (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Towards rear, blundered 11th, lost place and pulled up in race won by Kornati Kid (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 11th, headway 14th, not fluent 17th, led 3 out, ridden and headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Le Beau Bai (11-5) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
The Gangerman (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In touch, pushed along approaching 10th, soon struggling, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Coe (11-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Minella Four Star (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Keen early, prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 18, 17l behind Kitski (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, reminders after 2nd and 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 17, 39l behind Freeline Fury (11-1) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
