tracked leaders, lost place 7th, ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
held up, headway 7th, chased winner 4 out, soon ridden, 12 lengths down when mistake last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish
always in rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mistakes, led, reminders 6th, headed 4 out, weakened after next
tracked leader, jumped right throughout, led 4 out, hit next, ridden clear between last 2, stayed on well, eased towards finish
held up, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Dorneys Well can make the journey up from Wales pay off, with Birdwatch, Bright Eagle and Terlan also likely to play a part in proceedings. Dorneys Well was pulled up over fences at Ludlow in December, leaving the money in the bookies' satchels in the process, but that was only his second outing since April, so the Evan Williams inmate will strip fitter today. Although he is not as well treated as over hurdles, the ex-Irish gelding is expected to handle this course and can pay to follow under stable jockey Paul Moloney. Birdwatch had the misfortune to line up against leading northern novices on two visits to Kelso, and then was a faller at Ayr last time. His stable is in form though so he has to be on the short-list along with Bright Eagle who has been placed a number of times both on the Flat and over hurdles. He has not shown much in two outings over fences but will be placed to good effect in time. Terlan won over fences at Newcastle last month, but was not helped by the fact that he was held up here on his most recent start. If Graham Lee has him up with the pace this time, Peter Monteith's charge should also make his presence felt, but we return to Dorneys Well as the answer.
Birdwatch 14-1 (11-3) Tracked winner, in rear from 4th, weakening when fell 5 out in race won by Coach Lane (11-3) at Ayr 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec, 4 ran.
Bright Eagle (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Jumped left, held up, lost touch from approaching 7th, poor 5th when blundered badly 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Trouble At Bay (11-3) at Hereford 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Dorneys Well (IRE) 7-2fav (10-11) Held up, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jarro (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Silver Chancelor (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Tracking leaders when unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Lethem Present (9-12) at Musselburgh 3m amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Terlan (GER) 13-2 (11-11) Held up, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced from next, 4th of 9, 14l behind Miss Pross (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Bromley Abbey 40-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until approaching 4 out, 10th of 13, well behind The Last Viking (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
