held up, blundered 4th, effort 6th, mistake next, ridden and weakened apporaching 3 out
held up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon beaten
held up and raced wide early, headway 4th, led and hit 6th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
prominent, blundered 4th, lost place next, soon weakened
always prominent, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, kept on well flat
prominent and keen, every chance after 3 out, ridden next, no extra approaching last
led, not fluent 5th, headed next, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out
held up and keen, mistake 2nd, steady headway 6th, stayed on from 2 out, not reach first two
held up, steady headway 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching next
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, ridden and every chance last, not quicken flat
A cracking pre-Cheltenham card begins with a difficult start for punters. Lawz has a welter burden after his recent all the way victory at Fontwell. He was expected then though and can reach the frame here. Tagar has been a beaten favourite on three of his five outings, but continues to work well for Nicky Henderson and is quietly fancied. It is risky to rule out Jonjo O'Neill's runners at big meetings, even if their form does not amount to much, so Gimmick should be included in calculations. He has looked far from fluent since switching to fences and will be more at home over timber. Emma Lavelle has been having a fine season and Victory Roll is sure to have been well galloped for his return to action, having last been seen when down the field at this meeting last year. The rest will have done him good so whatever he does here, watch out for him over the next few weeks. Dollar law has been consistent but does not look quite good enough, but Shemdani will be expected to come on for a disappointing effort on his return at Doncaster when never sighted. He kept improving last year after coming over from France, and does not seem over burdened on this, his third outing in handicap company. The one to be on in our opinion is Kalka Mome. Philip Hobbs' charge bounced back from a poor effort at Sandown to hack up next time at Taunton. Due to go chasing, he jumps and travels well, all the requirements needed to score in the opener.
