tracked leader, hit 6th, onepaced and 3 lengths 2nd when unseated rider last, remounted
held up, left in lead 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, left clear last
always in rear, hit 10th, soon driven and struggling, pulled up before 3 out
led, going well when fell 5 out
tracked leaders, hit 7th, pushed along 10th, soon behind, left a remote 2nd last
A typically uncompetitive event which should take little winning and the vote goes to Joint Account. Fiona Needham's charge lost his way towards the end of last season but had previously rattled up a hat-trick of handicap chase wins including two course victories and will prove hard to beat if reproducing the same level of form on a track that clearly suits. Master Wood comes here in good heart following last months' hunter chase victory at Haydock. Chris Grant's charge has nothing to fear from Step On Eyre who finished well behind and is comfortably held but more is required to trouble the selection on these terms while the remaining pair are hard to fancy.
