held up, driven from 8th, ridden 13th, progress 3 out, soon held
in touch, chased leader 8th, led 13th, clear 2 out, ran on
in touch, awkward 5th, lost place 10th, close up when mistake 13th and 14th, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, ridden 11th, mistake 13th, soon behind
led and keen, headed 13th, ridden 3 out, faded
held up, headway 12th, chased clear winner 2 out, one pace
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, mistake 2 out
Newton Bridge is on a nice racing weight and looks to be the one to beat here although the top three in the weights won't make life easy for him. The selection has been raised by a stone to a mark of 103 for his win at Huntingdon in October which isn't unreasonable as the second and fourth went on to score in their next couple of starts. However, it's his hurdling form which really takes the eye as, on his next start, he readily accounted for Peacock at Cheltenham and is now rated 120 over timber. There's nothing to suggest that he can't reach similar heights over fences and he has excellent claims. That said, Jack The Blaster has won both starts over fences in the style of a good horse, the stable's woes appear to be behind them and he has to be feared as he doesn't look too badly treated either. Mighty Matters put together a sequence in the autumn and could go on again with conditions to suit if rejuvenated by a short break. Pedros Brief is probably vulnerable to one of the youngsters but he doesn't have too many miles on the clock and has been in decent form. Rule that trio out at your peril but Newton Bridge appeals most.
Pedros Brief (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) In touch, headway 8th, blundered 10th and next, ridden to chase winner approaching 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Kenzo III (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Mighty Matters (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Prominent, ridden after 12th, weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Lidjo De Rouge (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Jack The Blaster 6-4 (11-6) Tracked leader, smooth headway 4 out, soon led, driven clear from last, comfortably, won at Musselburgh 2m nov chs (3) gs in Feb beating Stromstad (10-11) by 6l, 5 ran.
Free Gift 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 12th, ridden after next, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 32l behind Kenzo III (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Arumun (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up last, headway 17th, remote 3rd after 19th, left 2nd 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Mokum (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Newton Bridge (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up, progress 4 out, 6th next, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 10l behind Sole Bonne Femme (9-13) at Navan 2m hcp hdl 0-123 sft in Feb.
Romany Dream 6-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened from 9th, 5th of 10, 34l behind Spiritual Society (11-1) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Feb.
