tracked winner, every chance when pecked on landing 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly at next, headed close home
led, swerved right at 1st, ridden 2 out, headed narrowly at next, rallied gamely to lead again close home, (limited visibility)
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2f out, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms
NonRunner
Erne River has won two of his three outings over hurdles and debuts over fences on his first outing since May. But PAY THE PIPER went close in a Listed chase before landing the odds at Newcastle under Brian Hughes and looks worth sticking with in this. Chinwag won an easier contest at Ffos Las in November and is 4lb higher today while Midnight River fell on his only previous start over fences and Hideo debuts for new connections having failed to win in France.
Pay The Piper (IRE) 1-2fav (11-3) Disputed 2nd, headway to lead narrowly when jumped sharply left 3 out, joined last, ridden and asserted towards finish(cross fence omitted), won at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating The Mouse Doctor (10-11) by 1l, 4 ran.
Midnight River 17-2 (11-10) In rear, closer before 6th, bad mistake 7th, ridden and left behind under 2 out, 7th of 13, 26 1/2l behind Tamar Bridge (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Chinwag 11-1 (11-6) Towards rear, not fluent 4th, rapid headway on outside 3 out, led 2 out, clear last when not fluent, kept on well flat, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Arian (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
Hideo (FR) (10-11) 8th of 10, dist behind Historien (10-13) at Auteuil 2m 1f hvy in Jun.
Erne River (IRE) 8-15fav (11-7) Made all, quickened after 2 out and shaken up on run to final flight, well clear and eased close home, won at Warwick 2m 3f (4) sft in May beating Moonlight Flit (11-1) by 8l, 8 ran.
