led 1st, made rest, hit 3rd, not fluent 10th, edged left after last, ridden and ran on
whipped round start, lost many lengths, caught up by 2nd, weakened 13th
in touch, chased winner 6th until approaching 13th, ridden when hit 2 out, weakened last
in touch, chased winner approaching 13th, not fluent 3 out, close 2nd when not much room on inside after last, not quicken
led to 1st, chased winner to 6th, dropped to last when blundered badly 12th and virtually fell, not recover
A two horse race and OFAREL D'AIRY is taken to win this ahead of Buckby Lane. The selection has not had much of a break since his last run but that is due to the stipulations for horses wanting to enter the Foxhunters' Chase at Cheltenham. Horses need to have finished first or second in two runs leading up to the festival and hence the quick turnaround. He won nicely last time at Fontwell despite a couple of mistakes but that was understandable on his return to fences after a spell hurdling and he is taken to win this on ground that suits. His obvious rival is Buckby Lane; however time may not be on his side. He has the benefit of a recent point-to-point run at Sheriff Hutton under his belt but he has only had 12 races under rules and although he has contested some big races in the past, including winning Graded races at Cheltenham, it remains to be seen whether he retains all of his old ability. Whistling Straits was pulled up on heavy ground in a Bangor point-to-point last time, whilst the other two appear to be making up the numbers and despite receiving a bit of weight each is readily opposed. A straight-forward task it would appear for Ofarel D'Airy to win again.
Ofarel D'airy (FR) Evensfav (11-11) Prominent, led when hit 6th, hit 4 out, in command from next, pushed out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hts chs (6) sft beating Dancer Life (11-7) by 6l, 8 ran.
Whistling Straits (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) (ts) a bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Mad Victor (11-0) at Bangor 3m ptp hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
Buckby Lane 4-1 (12-5) Led to 2 & 12 til hdd aft 14; wkng when, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Always Right (12-5) at Sheriff Hutton 3m ptp sft in Jan.
Worship The Stars 5-2fav (12-0) Bhnd til hdwy 11; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 10, 21l behind We're Confused (12-0) at Barbury Castle 3m ptp sft in Jan.
Holly Walk 7-4 (11-7) A.p; hrd rdn to jn ldr post, won at Wadebridge 3m ptp sft in Jan beating Mioche d'Estruval (12-0) by a 0.00, 6 ran.