raced keenly, held up in touch, mistake 7th, pushed along before 4 out, soon lost touch, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 3rd, led 7th, joined next, pushed along and headed 3 out, ridden to challenge before last, outjumped last, kept on flat
close up, led 3rd, headed 7th, joined leader next, pushed along and led outright 3 out, not fluent next, soon ridden, went right and stayed on well after last
NonRunner
NonRunner
Nebuchadnezzar has yet to threaten since switched to fences while Benny's Bridge failed to follow up a promising debut at Doncaster when pulled up at Newbury, though does drop down a grade for this. Blueberg has pulled up over hurdles the last twice so fellow chasing debutant SIROCO JO could be another winner for the Nicholls team as both of his victories over timber came on a similar surface.
Benny's Bridge (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Pulled hard, headway to lead 2nd, stumbled badly headed and lost place next (water) weakened 9th, ridden and tailed off before 4 out, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Siroco Jo (FR) 8-13fav (10-10) Towards rear, closed up to track front pair 3 out, ridden and pressed leaders before 2 out, kept on one pace and faded after last, 4th of 6, 10 1/4l behind Glimpse Of Gold (10-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Nebuchadnezzar (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Led, not fluent 6th, pressed 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened thereafter, 6th of 9, 19l behind Esprit De Somoza (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Opening Bid 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling before 3rd, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Blueberg (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Prominent until 3rd, ridden and struggling towards rear 7th, well behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.