held up in mid-division, weakened after 2 out
raced wide, held up, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 1st, jumped soundly after, tailed off before 2 out
held up in rear, struggling before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, good headway to track leader between last 2, led well before last, soon clear, stayed on well
took keen hold in rear, tailed off before 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 4th, headway and stayed on under pressure after 2 out, took 2nd flat, no chance with winner
tracked leader, upsides from 5th, led between last 2, headed before last, soon no chance with winner, weakened and lost 2nd flat
tracked leading pair from 3rd, mistake 2 out, weakened before last
led, hit 2nd, joined 5th, headed between last 2, weakened quickly before last
mid-division, weakened after 5th, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, 3rd and well beaten when mistake last, lost 3rd flat
Jair Ohmsford will take all the beating and should open his account, with Miko de Beauchene and Nadover the ones to chase him home. Bill Musson's six-year-old went into everybody's notebook after his extremely promising debut at Leicester earlier this month. Rated much inferior to his conqueror Dusky Warbler on the Flat, not only did he get within five lengths of Gary Moore's useful inmate, but in addition had the likes of Arrayou and Beamish Prince behind in third and fourth. A winner three times on the all-weather, he should pay to follow over hurdles based on that effort, starting this afternoon. Miko de Beauchene also pleased on his debut over timber when a close second at Warwick on New Year's Eve. That form is not quite as good as the selection's though and he looks booked for a place only. Nadover has plenty of experience, including when fifth to Diego Cao at Sandown but he has had more chances than most, while Good Samaritan is one for the future. It will be disappointing if Jair Ohmsford does not step up a gear to prevail and we make him a confident choice.
