chased leader, mistake 3rd and lost touch, ridden and weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
jumped slowly 1st, towards rear and raced wide throughout, ridden and headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, one length down when fell last
prominent, led on bit 5 out, shaken up 3 out, not fluent 2 out, left clear last, eased flat
held up last, headway and ridden 5 out, one paced from 3 out, left poor 2nd last
held up towards rear, jumped slowly and ridden 10th, tired when fell last
prominent, ridden and challenged 5 out, weakened 4 out
led, ridden and headed 5 out, weakening when fell 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden and every chance 5 out, one pace from 3 out, slightly hampered, left poor 3rd last
Big Rob has had his jumping problems but has more than enough ability to land this off his current mark and Brendan Powell's gelding gets the verdict over Runner Bean and Christopher. The last mentioned lost no caste in defeat behind a back to form and well-treated East Lawyer last time and has to be respected on that evidence. Indian Gunner made an encouraging return at Sandown last month but may find this coming too soon and he may not even confirm Sandown form with Biliverdin. Hiers de Brouage looked beaten when unseating last time and is probably best watched now, while No Visibility is on along losing sequence and has given little cause for optimism of late. Runner Bean has been in good form of late but a 9lb rise for his latest success at Huntingdon leaves Richard Lee's gelding with more to do and preference is for Big Rob in the hope that he can finally begin to fulfill his undoubted talent.
Biliverdin (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, blundered 6th, headed 10th, blundered 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Roznic (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Christopher 9-2 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, ridden 12th, headway 4 out, kept on from 3 out, 3rd of 11, 8l behind East Lawyer (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
No Visibility (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 49l behind Tanikos (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Runner Bean 33-1 (11-6) Keen, tracked leaders, led 8th, clear and jumped right last, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb beating Priscilla (11-2) by 7l, 15 ran.
Kim Fontenail (FR) 20-1 (11-10) Badly hampered 1st, soon well behind and pulled up in race won by Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Indian Gunner 12-1 (11-3) In touch, headway approaching 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Roznic (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Hiers de Brouage (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 12th, mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Runner Bean (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb, 15 ran.
Barren Lands 50-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden 6th, lost touch 9th, 6th of 14, well behind Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Big Rob (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) In touch, ridden after 8th, stayed on from 4 out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Madison Du Berlais (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
