in touch, ridden 11th to chase leaders, mistake 3 out, weakening when mistake next
tracked leaders, ridden 11th, chased clear pair from 3 out, no impression
held up, ridden and weakened 4 out
with leader, narrow lead 12th, ridden out
held up, mistake 8th, some progress 10th, lost place next, jumped right 12th, beaten when fell 3 out
in touch, ridden 11th, outpaced after 4 out
led, headed 12th, ridden when mistake 3 out, switched left and every chance 2 out, held from last
keen, ridden and weakened 10th
Nonrunner
Question marks over most of these, Rare Gold is selected ahead of Silver Serg and Busy Isit. The selection looked to have a promising future ahead of him when showing a decent level of form over hurdles in 2006. He was then sent chasing and his career never got off the ground and he failed to complete in his final four starts of last season. His belated reappearance over hurdles earlier this month suggested that his problems may be behind him and the form of his yard offers some encouragement on that score; if that is the case, then he could prove to be very well handicapped. Tavalu, No Complaint, Roussea and Climate Change could all feature but we'll have a closer look at Busy Isit and Silver Serg. The former finished legless on his chase debut at Taunton recently but may well be able to improve on that form after a short lay-off. He's another that hasn't really gone on from a promising start to his career but he hasn't many miles on the clock. Silver Serg showed ability on his first three starts over fences without ever threatening the principals. He seemed sure to take a hand in the finish on his handicap bow at Plumpton only to fall as the race was about to begin in earnest. He's sure to have done plenty of schooling since and is one to be interested in but we'll take Rare Gold to shine.
Supercilious (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway 6th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 21l behind Oceanos des Obeaux (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Witness Run (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Led to 3rd, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Wun Chai (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd, 21 ran.
Tavalu (USA) 16-1 (11-4) Hampered on bend approaching 2 out, never better than mid-division, 10th of 17, 19l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Busy Isit 8-1 (11-4) Tracked winner until 4th, close up, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 27l behind Something Wells (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Silver Serg 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 9th, in touch when fell 4 out in race won by Buckland Gold (10-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb, 8 ran.
Climate Change (USA) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 5 out, weakened next, 4th of 12, well behind Master Somerville (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
No Complaint (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 11, 17l behind Native Coral (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Roussea (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Held up, headway 7th, mistake and weakened next, 6th of 8, well behind Major Malarkey (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Trebello 3-1jt-fav (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge last, every chance flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Lordsbridge (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
Rare Gold (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up behind, ridden and headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Lordsbridge (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
