held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, one pace and wandered under pressure approaching last
held up mid-division, headway 6th, led 2 out, comfortably
held up, pulled hard, headway after 4th, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up after 2 out
held up, mistake 4th, weakened quickly, pulled up after 6th
held up in rear, never a factor
held up, hampered approaching 6th, pulled up after next
held up, never dangerous
held up, hampered 7th, headway under pressure 3 out, chased winner approaching last, kept on
disputed lead, mistake and lost place 5th, stumbled and unseated rider before 6th
disputed lead until after 5th, remained prominent, every chance 2 out, weakened before last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed 3 out, faded before next
Rotheram looks the one to be on here, with Aspiring Actor and Farnaheezview put forward as the main dangers. This race will not take too much winning and Rotheram, although only modest, has shown enough in two outings over hurdles to suggest he can land a contest of this nature. Aspiring Actor is from a top yard and showed plenty of promise in three bumpers last season. He will no doubt have been well schooled and looks a big danger to all. Farnaheezview has quite a high rating over fences and could go well on his return to the smaller obstacles. The pick of the remainder could be Flash Cummins, but in a wide open affair Rotheram is a sporting choice.
Aspiring Actor (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) In touch, led 8f out, ridden over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Nice Horse (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f nhf (H) gs in Feb.
Corrib Drift (USA) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden 7th, kept on from 2 out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 15, 18l behind Magot De Grugy (11-3) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Oct.
Farnaheezview (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up, mistake 7th, behind from 10th, jumped right from 12th, mistake 13th, 6th of 10, 36l behind Personal Assurance (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in May.
Flash Cummins (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened after 6th, 14th of 18, well behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (B) gs in Nov.
Hatteras (FR) 50-1 (11-0) In touch in chasing group, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 14, 16l behind Green Iceni (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) hvy.
Knighton Lad (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden and mistake 6th, stayed on from 3 out but no danger, 4th of 9, 19l behind Oscar Park (11-5) at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Rotheram (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 16l behind Kipsigis (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
First Centurion 66-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, no chance when blundered last, 9th of 17, 26l behind Siberian Highness (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
