mid-division, ridden and weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders and hit 1st, ridden and weakened after 2 out
behind, ridden after 2 out and staying on when rider lost irons at last, kept on
made all, ridden approaching last, kept on
towards rear, lost touch approaching 3 out and soon tailed off
tracked leaders, rider lost irons 1st, ridden and weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out and soon weakened
mid-division, ridden and headway after 2 out to chase leaders, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching last, no extra flat
always behind
Nonrunner
With Nina Carberry on top, Marathea will be a popular choice in the finale, and the Venetia Williams-trained mare gets the vote over Macreater, Faraway Echo and Casterflo. Marathea won a claimer on the Flat in France last August and has yet to open her account in five outings over hurdles for her current yard. However she has been going the right way lately, finishing second at Fakenham and Towcester, and with the age allowance here to help, and of course Paul's sister, she can last home over this trip which is about as far as she would want really. Macreater beat her by a length at Towcester but today's terms puts the ball firmly in the selection's court. Faraway Echo will be a danger if there is even more rain as she won well enough in testing going at Cartmel, but Casterflo's win at Hexham was gained on fast ground. In receipt of weight from all her main rivals, Marathea has to be strongly fancied and is the pick.
