keen, tracking leaders, hit 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, chased leader from 7th, led briefly when jumped badly left 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace
led, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, disputing 2nd when fell last
held up, pushed along from 6th, ridden and headway 3 out, led soon after 2 out, ran on well
held up, lost touch from 7th, blundered 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders until 6th, soon ridden, lost touch from 8th, tailed off
Forever Dream gets the call here ahead of Forest Chief, Reviewer and Dear Sir. The Philip Hobbs-trained selection was pretty consistent over hurdles, proving good enough to earn a rating of 120. Ok he fell on his chasing debut and will need to have brushed up in that department, but his overall profile stands up to scrutiny and he looks the one to beat. Forest Chief won from a mark of 103 over hurdles and that means that he cannot be discounted on his chasing debut, although this track takes some jumping. Reviewer achieved a higher rating over hurdles and showed some promise on his chasing debut last time, while the lightly-raced Dear Sir hit the 100 mark in hurdling ratings. However, Forever Dream holds very solid overall credentials for this race and, as such, gets the vote.
Forest Chief (IRE) 12-1 Close up in chasing group until weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 28l behind Transit at Sandown 2m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (E) gs.
Mendip Manor 250-1 Held up, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Blue Business at Taunton 3m nov hdl (E) gd in Feb.
Reviewer (IRE) 10-1 Made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 8, 10l behind Tunes Of Glory at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (D) gd.
Dear Sir (IRE) 16-1 In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 5th of 7, 35l behind Senna da Silva at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Dontnock'er (IRE) 40-1 Led until headed 7th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 9th of 17, 34l behind Irish Blessing at Chepstow 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd.