held up in touch, fell 11th
in touch, chased leaders approaching 4th, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out
held up, chased leaders after 5 out, soon ridden, chased winner last, stayed on flat
soon led, headed 3rd, lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
held up, headway halfway, led 13th, stayed on well from last
chased leaders, led 3rd, headed 6th, weakened 5 out
held up, headway approaching 10th, weakened after 4 out
always behind, ridden and lost place halfway, tailed off when pulled up 10th
led early, led again 6th, headed 13th, ridden and weakened after 4 out
In the feature race on the card, Loulou Nivernais is selected ahead of Kerry Lads and Undeniable. Loulou Nivernais is on a roll, having won his last four races. Even though he has been raised 14 pounds for his Newcastle romp last time, you could not rule out another good run today. Kerry Lads has rediscovered his form of late and remains on a competitive mark, Silver Knight disappointed from his revised mark in the Eider Chase last time. Ferdy Murphy's 2006 Cheltenham Festival winner Hot Weld has yet to recapture that form in 2007, but watch the betting for clues. His trainer had a good Festival this week. Undeniable certainly holds claims based on April 2006 form, although he was behind Loulou Nivernais at Newcastle last time, and a good run from his current mark cannot be ruled out for Jungle Jinks either. Prince Of Slane has it to prove from his revised mark, as have Moustique de L'Isle and Theatre Knight, although the latter is less exposed than most. For the selection, though, we will stick with the progressive Loulou Ninvernais, who proved on the Flat that he could handle god ground.
Loulou Nivernais (FR) 7-2 (11-2) With leaders, led going well before 4 out, soon clear, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy beating Welcome To Unos (10-11) by 26l, 7 ran.
Kerry Lads (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, chased winner 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 22l behind Nozic (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Silver Knight 12-1 (11-4) Held up, driven along 16th, effort under pressure 4 out, no impression, 8th of 16, well behind Nil Desperandum (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Hot Weld 16-1 (11-6) In touch, jumped slowly 7th, beaten when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Darby Wall (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Undeniable 7-2 (11-6) Made most, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 39l behind Loulou Nivernais (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy.
Jungle Jinks (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Close up, lost place 13th, soon struggling, last of 7, well behind See You There (11-2) at Carlisle 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Prince of Slane 7-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 17th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, 9th of 10, 46l behind Garryvoe (11-1) at Stratford 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 22-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 16, 33l behind Nil Desperandum (11-12) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Theatre Knight (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (10-13) Led to 4th, chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 14, 42l behind Bang And Blame (10-6) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
