mid-division, ridden and in touch, fell 4 out
never with leaders
never better than mid-division, weakened 17th, virtually pulled up flat
led, headed 15th, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden when made bad mistake 3 out, stayed on
mid-division when fell 8th
towards rear, headway 12th, ridden 18th, weakened 3 out
always in rear, mistake 14th, behind from 3 out
in touch, headway 12th, riden 4 out, led 3 out, clear approaching last
tracked leader, led 15th, headed after 4 out, no extra flat
tracked leaders, outpaced and lost place 15th, stayed on strongly from 2 out
held up rear, mistake 12th and 14th, making headway on outside when unseated rider 4 out
mid-division, reminders 11th, weakened 16th, pulled up before 5 out
in rear, steady headway from 12th, chased leaders but one pace from 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened 13th
always in rear, behind when pulled up before 16th
mid-division, lost place 9th, ridden in rear when mistake 13th, pulled up before 16th
Strong Resolve faces his toughest task to date, but can pass with flying colours ahead of Chives, Silver Birch and Desailly to name but three. Scottish trainer Lucinda Russell deserves a big-race success to put herself firmly on the map, having had her best season so far, and stable-star Strong Resolve could just be the one to do it. The eight-year old has gone up the required few pounds thanks to back-to-back wins at Ayr and Wetherby in November. The son of Roselier handles soft ground and stays all day, and in addition his front-running style is ideal for Chepstow. Granted he does not have the class of Chives but it is 10 years since Master Oats humped more than 11st to victory in this stamina test, and the Tommy Whittle winner will do well to better his second to Mini Sensation here two years ago, although to be fair that was under the welter burden of 11st 12lb. Paul Nicholls saddles three runners, with in-form Silver Birch out to add to his Becher Chase success at Aintree last month, and he makes slightly more appeal than stablemates L'Aventure who may find this hard at this stage of his career, and Shotgun Willy who has a long absence to overcome. Both of Martin Pipe's runners also line up with out the benefit of a prep run. However, it would be folly to dismiss their chances as Akarus was going well when falling four out last year, and Jurancon II is a classy stayer who came to grief early in this year's Martell Cognac Grand National. Lord Jack has a light weight and will stay every yard of the trip as well, but in a fascinating contest we shall side with Strong Resolve, who can reach the frame at least.
