led and not fluent, headed 3rd, led again 4th, headed next, led after 6th, quickened up, ridden 3 out, headed soon after, soon one pace
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
always going well, led 3rd, headed next, led again 5th, headed after 6th, led after 3 out, hit 2 out, pushed clear
with leader, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
held up in touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up next
in touch, closer order 5th, driven next, ridden and weakened 3 out
Woodlands Genpower gets the choice in the opener, although The Listener rates as a big danger, with Garryvoe and Icy Prospect not entirely out of things. Woodlands Genpower is the highest-rated of these runners and, deservedly so, for he has looked very progressive in winning his last two races. He looks pretty decent - a view long since held by his trainer - and should put up a bold show in his bid to bring up a straight hat-trick of wins. Conceding weight to The Listener though will be no easy task as Robert Alner's Roselier gelding has also looked decent thus far, and was only just beaten by Ardaghey in what developed into a sprint at Leicester last time. That last-named horse is trained by Nigel Twiston Davies, who saddles Icy Prospect here. He came down to earth in a graded affair at Cheltenham last time but had earlier shown a reasonable level of form although, for us, the other pair mentioned hold better claims. Of the others, Faceur represents the Martin Pipe team but will need to improve on what he has so far shown over hurdles, while Garryvoe ran Reflected Glory to two lengths last time, which is fair form. With the others having a bit to prove, we turn again to the selection, which is Woodlands Genpower.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 1-3fav With leader, led 6th, shaken up after 2 out, driven out, won at Towcester 3m nov hdl (D) gs in Jan beating Abzuson by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Icy Prospect (IRE) 16-1 Mid-division, lost place 7th, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, 8th of 10, well behind Brewster at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gd in Dec.
Farceur (FR) 33-1 Behind, soon reminders, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Yes Sir at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft.
Garryvoe (IRE) 2-1 Led, hit 9th, ridden and joined 2 out, mistake and headed soon after last, no extra flat, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Reflected Glory at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hdl (D) sft in Jan.
Goss Hawk (NZ) 50-1 Chased leaders, very reluctant and tried to run out on bend after 6th and pulled up at the 7th in race won by Loup Charter at Windsor 3m nov hdl (E) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Ironside (IRE) 8-1 With leader to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 3rd of 6, 26l behind Blushing Bull at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Jan.
