close up, joined leaders 6th, led 8th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, chased winner until approaching last, plugged on one pace
in touch in rear, headway to 3rd 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 2 out, driven to chase winner last, stayed on
led until 2nd, led again 7th, headed next, tracked leader, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, jumped slow and dropped to rear 9th, headway to lead approaching 3 out, ridden out
in rear, lost touch 7th, behind when pulled up 10th
led 2nd, headed 7th, tracked leaders, ridden 10th, weakened next
This looks a tricky puzzle to solve as The Big Freeze is probably high enough in the weights now while Little Chip is still a maiden and is difficult to predict. Pyracantha likes it here and could go close in a first-time visor but Solway Bay and Farewellatmidnight need to improve on recent form and Golden View is returning from a lengthy absence. ICE 'N' EASY was quite highly tried over hurdles and showed definite signs of promise on his chasing bow at Exeter when just behind three decent novices. He may well find the necessary improvement to land this.
The Big Freeze (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, went 3rd at 12th, chased winner 16th, outpaced before 4 out, ridden and effort approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Sulpius (10-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Ice 'n' Easy (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased winner, mistake 7th, lost 2nd 3 out, hung badly left and weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 12l behind Theatrical Star (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Pyracantha 14-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 2nd, hit next, demoted to 3rd 7th, not fluent 10th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, pressed for 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Speedy Bruere (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Little Chip (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden after 13th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 12, 35l behind Big News (10-9) at Ludlow 3m nov chs 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Solway Bay 50-1 (9-9) Always behind, 12th of 16, 37l behind Doctor Foxtrot (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Golden View (IRE) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up in 4th, went 3rd 5th, chased leader after 10th, not fluent last, driven into lead just before bend turning for home, 3 lenghts clear soon after, all out close home, won at Cartmel 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft in Aug '11 beating Dodgey Dream (11-7) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Farewellatmidnight 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden over 5f out, soon weakened, 11th of 13, well behind Captain Kelly (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
