made all, clear before 4 out, ridden before next, stayed on strongly
chased winner, niggled throughout, pecked slightly 8th, reminders before 7 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Grouse Lodge was the only one to finish at Towcester on his chasing bow and he disappointed in a better race than this at Warwick last time. He still has plenty of time to get back on track and is preferred to the more exposed Netminder, but a chance is taken on ROS CASTLE. Rose Dobbin's charge hasn't been disgraced in handicaps since scoring at Kelso in October and can return to winning ways in this company.
Grouse Lodge (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Close up until ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 37l behind Godsmejudge (11-7) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) hvy.
Ros Castle (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) In touch, blundered 10th, went 4th before 3 out, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 8, 11l behind Kandari (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Netminder (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 8th, led again 9th, headed before 14th, ridden and weakened from 5 out, 4th of 6, 29l behind Ruben Cotter (11-0) at Doncaster 3m 2f nov chs (4) gd.
