went right at several hurdles, led until hung right on bend, dropped to rear before 6th, continued to hang right, no chance when virtually pulled up before 4 out
took keen hold, held up in rear, no impression on leaders after 4 out
held up in rear, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten
prominent, pressed leader 5th, left in lead before next, soon ridden, headed soon after next, weakened after next
held up in touch, headway from 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, no impression when ridden and hit last, kept on flat, held near finish
took keen hold, held up, hit 2nd, weakened after 8th, fell 4 out
held up in touch, weakened after 8th, no chance when hampered 4 out
prominent, left 2nd before 6th, led before 8th, ridden and headed when mistake 2 out, weakened soon after
Despite his penalties, we will side with Manx Royal here, with Victom's Chance, Ferimon, Va Vavoom and Follow Up rated as his strongest dangers. Ferimon's form is solid, although it was let down by Medici's run at Taunton on Thursday. Va Vavoom was found out when upped in class last time but, with this being more his level, he can be competitive for a place. Get My Drift reverts to hurdling here after two chase efforts, so would not be an immediate choice. Stepped up to this trip for the first time last time, Frosty's Cousin showed a bit of improvement, but more will be needed again. From the Nicky Henderson camp, Follow Up has to be afforded a mention as the trainer does well here. Victom's Chance continues on the upgrade and has to be considered following his Folkestone success, although he may have run here on Friday. Overall, though, we will side with Manx Royal.
Manx Royal (FR) 7-2jt-fav Took keen hold in mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon no extra and weakened, 5th of 17, 12l behind Bagan at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Ferimon 4-1 Prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 12, 49l behind Yes Sir at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Bob The Builder 12-1 Tracked leader, led 3, headed after 4th, ridden and weakened 8th, 5th of 18, well behind Bagan at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Follow Up 11-2 Mid-division, mistake 6th, soon ridden, weakening when mistake 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Jack's Lad at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Frosty's Cousin (IRE) 66-1 Led, hit 5th, hard ridden after 3 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 7, 10l behind Celtic Son at Kempton 3m nov hdl (D) gs in Feb.
Get My Drift (IRE) 5-6fav Tracked leaders, pushed along 9th, not fluent 11th, driven along next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tribal Venture at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (D) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Kjjimmy (IRE) 8-11fav pulled up at the 13th in race won by Talygarn at Maisemore Park 3m ptp gf in Apr '03, 11 ran.
Teeswater 66-1 Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 13, well behind Swift Swallow at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Va Vavoom (IRE) 33-1 Chased leaders until weakened before 2 out, 8th of 10, 45l behind Ambobo at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Victom's Chance (IRE) 9-4fav Prominent, led 6th to 3 out, led again between last 2, stayed on well, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (F) gs in Feb beating King of Confusion by 4l, 16 ran.
Syncopated Rhythm (IRE) 100-1 Mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened next, 7th of 13, 50l behind Irish Legend at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
