led 2nd, headed 4th, chased leader to 10th, pushed along and lost place 13th, weakened 15th
held up in 4th, bad mistake 6th, not fluent 12th, went 3rd 13th, not fluent next, went 2nd after 4 out, 2 lengths down when mistake slightly hampered and left in lead 2 out, driven flat, headed towards finish, no extra
held up in last, took keen hold and carried head very low until 3rd, not fluent 13th (water), went 5th approaching 4 out, no chance from 3 out
led to 2nd, led 4th to 4 out, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied before last, soon no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, led 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when slithered on landing and unseated rider 2 out
held up in 5th, went 4th 14th, not fluent next, went 3rd approaching 3 out, left close 2nd 2 out, driven and hung left after last, led towards finish, stayed on well
This might be the right time to catch THREE MIRRORS and Ferdy Murphy's gelding is narrowly preferred to Parsons Legacy and Boychuk, both of whom know how to win at the track. The selection has so far had a winless 2009 however as a result he has started to edge down the weights. He is yet to win over this far so stamina may still be a slight issue however Graham Lee may be able to sneak him into the race slowly from the rear and pounce late on for success. Parsons Legacy won this race last year but is now 5lbs higher in the weights. He was last seen when falling in the Grand National and it remains to be seen how his confidence will be with regular pilot Richard Johnson missing. Maljimar ran a blinder here in March but his stamina seemed to give way very quickly late on when collared by Wichita Lineman. He is a player if ready after some time in the field and he has run well fresh before. Always Waining will be aimed at Aintree once again as he seemed to relish the 'National fences' last season so he will do well to win today, as will Nelson's Spice who has bossed weaker opposition in the past but might not be able to today. Of more interest then is Boychuk who has the benefit of a fairly recent run. He ran ok at Ffos Las behind Backstage and the return to Cheltenham will suit. He can be a bit quirky but if putting his best foot forward he could be hard to stop. A fascinating renewal and one that can go the way of Three Mirrors.
Parsons Legacy (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, hampered 2nd, fell 22nd (Beeches Brook), in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Maljimar (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, in 4th and beaten when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Three Mirrors 6-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, weakened approaching 14th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Don't Push It (10-11) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Boychuk (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Chased leaders, weakened 12th, 6th of 17, 18l behind Backstage (10-1) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Aug.
Always Waining (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 15l behind Valley Ride (9-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, pressed leader, hit 8th, led after 3 out, soon headed, hanging right when weakening before 2 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Gaelic Flight (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Sep.
