chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd before 3 out, led after last, kept on well under pressure
held up in touch when landed steeply and fell 1st
prominent, hard driven 4 out, weakened before next
in touch, mistakes and jumped slowly throughout, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten
led, clear approaching 3 out, headed after last, rallied close home, stayed on well
chased leaders, effort 3 out, soon weakened
Whiskey Ridge has been placed three times over these fences but might just need this. Pure Anticipation should improve on her run at Ludlow, however, while Churchfield Champ won over hurdles in Ireland though has finished tailed off in both start over the larger obstacles. MINELLA FIFTY won a point-to-point last year and will be all the better for a first outing over regulation fences at Newton Abbot. The softer ground here will help and he can open his account with Midnight Dove preferred to Xenophon of the others.
Churchfield Champ (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Towards rear for most, never a factor, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Turban (11-12) at Cork 2m beg chase hvy in Apr.
Minella Fifty (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Always behind, 7th of 13, 34l behind Lough Derg Way (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov chs 0-110 (4) gf.
Midnight Dove 15-2 (11-0) Held up, went 5th before 12th, ridden 15th, 4th and well held before 5 out, 4th of 8, 36l behind Hobb's Dream (10-9) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Xenophon 28-1 (10-6) In rear, reminders after 5th, pushed along after 7th, ridden 5 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 30l behind Badgers Retreat (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Whiskey Ridge (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Towards rear, ridden before 4 out, headway before 3 out, in 4th when blundered 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Keeverfield (10-13) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
Dr Dreamy (IRE) 11-2fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th, lost place when not fluent next, weakened 11th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Lemon's Gent (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
Pure Anticipation (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Led 1st until next, led 6th, headed after 8th, 3rd and beaten 3 out, mistake and weakened next, 4th of 5, 15l behind What A Warrior (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
