led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on,no chance with winner
tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, one pace
in touch until 5th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always going well, tracked leaders, led on bit approaching 2 out, soon clear, easily
in touch until 6th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway 6th, blundered 3 out, soon ridden, one pace
in touch, lost place from 5th, stayed on from 3 out, never troubled leaders
held up, pecked 1st, behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened
Some interesting runners line up here including the two ex-South African runners Grande Jete and Golden Reward, plus the former German-trained Dictum but for the selection we stick closer to home and the former William Haggas inmate Contraband. The selection has looked a progressive performer since an encouraging debut third behind Self Defense at Cheltenham with wins at Taunton, Musselburgh and Kempton. Admittedly Martin Pipe's gelding has a double penalty to carry but there is no reason to suggest that he is not up to the task of shouldering it. The Paul Nicholls-trained Goblet Of Fire was rated to a similar level of ability to the selection on the flat but has yet to convince over hurdles so a bigger threat may come from Nicky Henderson's Grande Jete, who won with the minimum of fuss at Wincanton on Boxing Day and may be open to more improvement. A similar comment applies to Susan Nock's Dictum, although the form of her second to Howle Hill has taken some knocks. Scorned has been off the track for a long time but cannot be completely dismissed, however, it is Contraband that makes most appeal and gets the vote.
