led 1st, mistake and headed approaching next, every chance when hit 4 out, short of room on bend soon after, ridden and not recover
in rear, lost touch from 10th, soon tailed off
led 2nd, hit 3rd, challenged when ridden 4 out, pushed clear approaching 3 out, ran on well
Watch The Dove beat his only rival easily at Newton Abbot last month but this looks tougher and preference is for Frederic Forever, who should be too good for his rivals here. The selection is not as good over fences as he was over the smaller obstacles but has shown enough to suggest that a race of this nature would be well within his compass and, with the stable of Philip Hobbs continuing in good form, the six-year-old is taken to open his account over fences. Running Times has been running down the field in point-to-points of late and, along with Hurlers Cross, has a long absence to overcome. Fairtoto makes limited appeal on recent form and a bigger threat should come from Watch The Dove. However, the concession of 10lbs to Frederic Forever is likely to be beyond Colin Tizzard's horse.
