took keen hold, tracked leaders, led 5th until after 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up, hit 2nd, lost touch after 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders 10th, pressed leader after 4 out, led 2 out, clear when blundered last, eased flat
led until 5th, chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace after
held up in touch, ridden to lead after 4 out, hit next, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent until 5th, chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after next
chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 5th, blundered 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
Saintsaire, Neltina and Jarro are the three for the shortlist here and Saintsaire is the selection. Jarro won here last season and shoulders top weight. He hails from the in form Venetia Williams yard but may need this first run of the season. The nine-year-old Neltina is lightly raced but has four wins from fourteen starts and will be a lot fitter after two outings this season. Nicky Henderson has always held Saintsaire in some regard and with the yard in fine form he can make a winning seasonal re-appearance. Just touched off at Ludlow at the end of last season, his trainer will have him ready for this and with a number of his rivals having question marks against them, Saintsaire gets the vote.
Jarro (FR) 6-1 (11-6) Chased leaders to 5th, soon pushed along, tailed off from 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Encore Cadoudal (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Apr.
Be My Destiny (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up and always towards rear, weakened after 13th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Too Forward (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Saintsaire (FR) 11-8fav (11-6) Led, blundered and headed 4th, regained lead 9th, headed after 3 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Saafend Rocket (11-6) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (D) gd in Apr.
Neltina 10-3 (11-11) Led to 8th, led 9th, ridden 4 out, headed after 3 out, kept on well from last, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Roofing Spirit (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Nov.
Macmar (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, mistake 6th, ridden and headway to have every chance 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 22l behind Serpentine Rock (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Haafel (USA) 12-1 (11-3) Led to 3rd, remained handy until weakened 10th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Soeur Fontenail (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Inaki (FR) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, not fluent 3rd, led 2 out, jumped right last, driven clear flat, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Jan '04 beating Just Muckin Around (10-8) by 6l, 8 ran.
