held up, behind from 14th
made all until headed 2 out, weakened
held up rear, mistake 12th, close 4th when mistake and unseated rider 15th
tracked leaders throughout, shaken up to lead approaching last, ran on
tracked leader, mistake 9th and 15th, ridden 3 out, leader 2 out, headed last, no extra
With Jonjo O'Neill's horses yet to show that they are back to their best Campaign Trail is probably best watched and preference is for Ross River who gets the vote over Whitford Don. The last mentioned would have an obvious chance on the pick of his form but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding is prone to making mistakes at his fences and makes limited appeal as a betting medium in this company as a result. Henrietta Knight's Daretobedifferent looks to be going the right way but needs to improve to trouble the judge and of more interest may be Concert Pianist, who showed promise last time and receives weight all round. Campaign Trail was easily the best of these over hurdles and already has winning form over fences but Jonjo's horses have shown little since returning form their absence and a safer option looks to be Ross River. The nine-year-old has only had seven races in his career so remains relatively unexposed and, while he may have been fortunate to beat Whitford Don, the latter's jumping frailties again came to the fore then. Ross River has looked pretty assured at his fences and is taken to follow up that Hereford success.
Campaign Trail (IRE) 4-5fav Held up, headway when hampered 10th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, rallied approaching last, led close home, won at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (E) gd in Dec beating Harry Collins by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Daretobedifferent (IRE) 10-1 Tracked leaders to 6th, weakened 15th, 4th of 6, well behind Tribal Venture at Kempton 3m nov chs (C) gd in Jan.
Ross River 11-2 Always prominent, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, challenging when blundered 2 out, ridden to lead after last, driven out, won at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (E) gs in Nov beating Whitford Don by 8l, 12 ran.
Whitford Don (IRE) 14-1 Keen, tracked leaders, close 2nd and going well when blundered badly and fell 4 out in race won by Ossmoses at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (C) , 9 ran.
Concert Pianist 12-1 Mistakes 1st, 2nd and 3rd, held up in rear, steady headway from 12th, kept on under pressure before 2 out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 12, 11l behind I Hear Thunder at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (E) gs.
