led, jumped slowly and headed first, tracked leader, mistake, and lost place 10th, ridden 14th, weakened next
tracked leaders, went second 10th, slipped bend approaching 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, clear flat, eased towards finish
tracked leader, led first, hit third, ridden and headed 2 out, eased when held towards finish
Tino gets our vote here ahead of Silent Snipe. Going through the field. Ray Source won a beginners chase at Chepstow before jumping poorly on his handicap debut. He can go better here at this shorter trip and the application of a first-time visor. Andy's Birthday is on a winning mark but has had only one run since November 2002 so fitness has to be taken on trust. Former hunter chaser Stanmore has won under Rules over fences from a mark of 99 so, rated 92 here, has to be given a chance, Tino comes here in good heart having won at Towcester last time from out of the handicap. He has to be competitive under a penalty that effectively puts him on his proper mark now, if the form of that Towcester success is taken literally. Silent Snipe has proven solidly consistent at around his current mark so cannot be ruled out either. Overall, though, we'll side with Tino over Silent Snipe.
