ridden away from start, led, not fluent 10th, headed 14th, left 2nd briefly after 4 out, 4th and weakening when fell 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 10th, struggling 14th, behind 4 out, left remote 3rd next
chased leaders, challenged 13th, led next, pressed when fell 4 out
tracked leader, mistake 11th, close up 13th, mistake 15th, soon weakened, behind before 4 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 15th, left 2nd briefly when hampered 4 out, 2nd again before 3 out, about 4 lengths down when hit last, no impression
held up in rear, headway when left 4th and hampered 4 out, went 3rd before next, no impression on winner, one pace
held up towards rear, mistake 9th, struggling 14th, behind before 4 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, eased and pulled up after 5th
held up in rear, closed 7th, challenged after 15th, left clear 4 out, slightly reduced lead 2 out, ridden out
This is possibly the most competitive race on today’s card with several holding decent claims. Shanann Star and Page Fuller won an incident-packed contest over track and trip last month but has another 8lb to carry today. Somerset Lias beat You Too Pet by six lengths at Taunton in November but that remains his only victory in 15 starts over fences. Moorlands Mist has never won over the larger obstacles but has his ground and has been thereabouts lately. Snowball will also handle conditions and arrives off the back of a win at Towcester but we’ll take TIKKAPICK to come good back up in trip as he was travelling well when falling over course and distance just over a year ago.
Somerset Lias (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Led until mistake and headed 10th, chased leaders, went 2nd 12th until next where mistake, chased leading pair, ridden before 4 out, kept on run-in, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Bells Of Ailsworth (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Moorlands Mist 6-1 (11-10) Pressed leader, led narrowly 14th until after 3 out, chased winner until 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 8, 8 1/4l behind Drumviredy (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Knight Ofthe Realm 7-2fav (11-9) Led until 1st, tracked leaders on outside, fell 3rd, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Tikkapick (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Led after 1st until 3rd, soon led again, headed 4th, led before next, not fluent and headed 8th, not fluent 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, switched right flat, unable to get back on terms with winner, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Mr Bachster (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Shanann Star (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) In rear, 3rd at the 13th, closed 15th, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Paddy The Oscar (11-11) by 5l, 8 ran.
You Too Pet (IRE) 11-4 (10-2) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along after 12th, weakening when slight peck 3 out, left modest 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Royal Salute (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Snowball (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Towards rear, headway 4th, blundered 4 out, rallied after 2 out, led towards finish, stayed on, won at Towcester 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb beating Leith Hill Legasi (11-3) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
In The Tub (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 5th, dropped to last next, left remote 5th 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Gala Ball (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
General Girling 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place 2nd, closed 6th, ridden after 10th, weakened before next, pulled up after 3 out, at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
