prominent, lost place 6th, ridden 15th, soon no chance
mid-division, headway 13th, fell 15th
held up, headway and chased leader 12th, challenged approaching 3 out, soon ridden, every chance when hit 2 out, no extra from approaching last
mid-division, lost place 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 8th
prominent when fell 6th
in touch, led 13th, shaken up after 2 out, pushed out flat, easily
mid-division, ridden and lost touch 14th, pulled up before 17th
led to 13th, blundered 15th, soon no chance, slogged on in distant 3rd
mid-division, hit 2nd, blundered 3rd, ridden and went 3rd 17th, unseated rider 4 out
NATIONAL PETITION doesn't look to be the best-handicapped horse in training however Venetia Williams' gelding is taken to bounce back with a win here at the main expense of Laudamus, Kilty Storm and Rebel Melody. Venetia Williams is still operating an over 20% strike-rate with her runners and at the time of writing has already had 56 winners this season, not bad considering she had 69 in the whole of last season. This gelding is no stable star but he showed by winning at Towcester in December that he stays well, and a winner of three of his five starts over fences, another big run looks on the cards having been dropped a total of 4lbs for two recent reversals. Laudamus is a course winner and this gelding is lightly-raced for his age due to injury problems earlier in his career. His recent second to Rosie All Over at Exeter was punished with a 7lb rise in the weights and that may have scuppered him when fourth next time to the improving Supreme Keano. Blaze Ahead steps up in trip here and after a 2lbs drop in the ratings is now racing off a prior winning mark, whilst Rebel Melody has also been edged down the handicap after a well-held third to Just Smudge at Ludlow. Wizard Of Edge and Classic Clover both have winning course form, but neither comes here in top form and so it is National Petition who gets the vote.
Wizard of Edge 14-1 (11-1) Mid-division, reminders after 6th, soon lost touch and pulled up in race won by Borero (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
National Petition (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) In touch, outpaced 15th, never able to get into contention after, 5th of 13, 16l behind Ultimate Limit (10-12) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Kilty Storm (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, mistake 10th, mistake and headed 4 out, soon weakened, 11th of 18, 45l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Laudamus 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 5 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 12l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Led to 3rd, chased leader, blundered 6th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 7, 43l behind Pacco (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 15-2 (11-12) Chased leader, led 4th until after 6th, led 8th to 11th, led 12th, headed after 15th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 14, 26l behind Just Smudge (11-7) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Himself Dreams On (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, weakened 14th, blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Pop Ahead (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Classic Clover 18-1 (11-4) Held up last, not fluent, hit 11th, well behind when pulled up in race won by Flight Command (11-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Tradingup (IRE) 28-1 (9-4) Mistake 4th, always towards rear, 10th of 16, 44l behind Ballyvaden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
