in touch, mistake 5th, weakened next, tailed off
led 2nd until 8th, stayed tracking leader until weakened 16th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, headway to track clear leaders 9th, headway 14th, effort 16th, chance between last two, weakened before last, finished tired
led to 2nd, tracked leader, led again 8th, headed and not quicken run-in
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, lost place 9th, mistake 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
held up in rear, steady headway 13th, tracked leader 16th, led run-in, driven out
Earthmover has taken on a new lease of life this season and can mop up another prize here, with Macgeorge and County Derry expected to run well. Since teaming up with Rilly Goschen, Earthmover has recaptured past glories, notably a second Cheltenham Fox Hunters last month, when County Derry was back in third. It is amazing how Paul Nicholls has the knack of keeping his older inmates tuned up and you can be sure that he will have this particular 13-year-old spot on again. Talking of veterans, old Macgeorge owes us no favours at all and will run well again. He does though look held by the selection on past form here and will have to settle for the runner's up berth. The eight-year-old Whether The Storm has more scope than most but has a lot to find on form and is therefore passed over, as is Delgany Royal. Quite simply, Earthmover should find this a piece of cake compared to previous exertions this term, and can take this event for the second year running.
