led, headed 8th, led again 9th, headed next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, led 8th, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out
always prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed next, hit last, one pace
held up towards rear, outpaced from 8th
held up, headway 7th, pushed along next, kept on from 2 out, no impression
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led next, driven out
held up in touch until lost place from 7th, tailed off
held up in touch, headway 9th, hit last, kept on to take 2nd flat
Quazar is rated miles in front of these over hurdles and he is given another chance here, with Old Marsh and Gone Too Far the obvious dangers. the selection was just below top class over the smaller obstacles, where he was rated in the 150s, and he has run very well in top company in that sphere. All the more disappointing then was his debut defeat over fences, when starting an odds-on favourite but finishing a long way behind at Stratford. He drops back in trip here, which should not unduly inconvenience him, and presumably with connections bringing him out again so quickly he must be well in himself, so if he can produce his true ability then he should win well. However, Old Marsh has to be taken seriously under the circumstances. Rated over two stones below the selection over hurdles, he has lots more chasing experience, albeit as a winner only in his two most recent starts. Neither of those had opposition potentially as strong as Quazar, but if you prefer to punt with form rather than hope then on what he has achieved over fences he would be your choice. Bernardon has some solid enough form over fences, but none of it approaches the capabilities of the other two, and he looks likely to claim a place, while Gone Too Far can also go well, but if he runs his race he is likely still to be found wanting. For the selection then we will give a second chance to Quazar.
