chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, kept on
held up, headway 6th, ridden to lead approaching last, headed towards finish
led, mistake 8th, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden, every chance approaching 2 out, outpaced approaching last
held up, headway 6th, mistake next, weakened 2 out
held up in touch, not fluent, behind from 9th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway 6th, challenged 2 out, hard ridden after last, stayed on to lead towards finish
Nonrunner
Giovanna gets the nod over Keelshore Lad and Surricate, while the old boy Freetown is still capable of fighting his corner in this company and is also respected. Freetown has only managed to win once since his famous Cheltenham Festival success of almost six years ago. Still, he continues to thrive on his racing and, as there have been encouraging signs of late, he cannot be discounted here. Neither can Surricate, even though it would be folly to suggest that his course and distance win from last November is a reliable yardstick to take in hand. That said, he jumps and stays well and, as this appears to be a course he likes, Ferdy Murphy's charge is worth a place on the shortlist. Keelshore Lad will like the ground and, as he has relatively few miles on the clock, it is feasible that he still has something in the locker. However, the handicapper did raise him 15lb after his win at Uttoxeter a couple of months ago and he needs to better his last two efforts if he is to follow up today. Therefore, it can be worth taking a chance with Giovanna, who is a consistent performer that keeps rising to the challenges presented to her. Having won or been placed in each of her last five starts, a paltry mark of just 112 looks very lenient and Giovanna makes plenty of appeal at the likely odds.
Laertes 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place 13th, no impression after next, 4th of 7, 28l behind Master Sebastian (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Kealshore Lad 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 6th, mistake 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Ballyshan (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
In Dream's (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 8th, weakening when not fluent 9th, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Iwillrememberyou (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Freetown (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) With leader, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 18l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Giovanna 7-1 (11-1) In touch, took closer order 7th, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed soon after last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Pyleigh Lady (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Jan.
See You There (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Held up, headway 12th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Special Conquest (10-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 20-1 (9-7) Held up, headway after 8th, mistake 3 out, ridden and held and 4 lengths 4th when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Ballyshan (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Fair Question (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, led approaching 2nd, headed 9th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 13, 22l behind Iwillrememberyou (11-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Surricate (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 14, 23l behind Albany (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
