always prominent, effort when hit 3 out, joined winner next, soon ridden, kept on and every chance, edged right and held towards finish
held up, blundered 2nd, outpaced 15th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway and in touch 9th, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, one pace from next
led until ran out 6th
held up, fell 2nd
mid-division, blundered 3rd, reminders 12th, soon struggling, behind when blundered 14th, pulled up before next
in touch, reminders before 13th, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next
held up, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, tracked leader, left in lead 6th, joined 2 out, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat
behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, struggling 15th, no danger after
After running well in recent starts CANNON FIRE is taken to score ahead of Thenameescapesme while Ortega has a consistent enough profile to grab a share of the prize pot. The selection has shown some good form under his current mark this season in better races than this. He was also good enough to grab a place under a heavier burden over timber last time out and he should cope well with this step up in trip. A three pound ease in his mark gives Thenameescapesme a winning chance after running well over distance to place last time out in similar company. That puts his rating at seven pounds below his last winning mark over hurdles so he should be in with a real chance. Oretega compete here at two pound out of the handicap but has been holding his form well recently and is weighted to be involved in the shake up again. Omme Antique could be better than recent results have suggested and it's interesting to see connections have opted for a big step up in trip to get more out of the gelding but it is Cannon Fire who interests us most.
Cannon Fire (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Led, ridden after 3 out, headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Tisfreetdream (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Thenameescapesme 10-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened after next, 3rd of 11, 18l behind Illogical Hope (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Backfromthecongo (IRE) 11-10 (12-0) Ap; led 14; rdn out, won at Garnons 3m ptp in Mar beating The Chisholm (12-0) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Omme Antique (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 4th and lost place, weakened 10th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Battlefield (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Lady Roania (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, blundered 9th, behind from 11th, tailed off, 7th of 12, well behind Desert Secrets (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f cond hcp chs 4yo+ (5) gd in Nov.
Clear The Way (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, mistake 6th, not fluent next, well behind 11th, 12th of 14, well behind Apocalozzo (10-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Millitant Man 8-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied before last, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Feb beating Heezagrey (10-6) by ns, 14 ran.
Finlay's Footsteps 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, reminders 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Chernik (11-7) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Ortega (FR) 13-2 (9-13) Keen, held up in touch, steadied to mid-division 3rd, headway 9th, chased leader and hit 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Tampa Boy (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Southern Bazaar (USA) 50-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, ridden and some headway after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Petrosian (11-0) at Ludlow 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (4) gd.
Overton Lad 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, reminders after 7th, never in contention, well beaten 3 out, 9th of 16, well behind Gerrard (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Mar.
Chorizo (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) In touch, blundered 12th, mistake 13th, weakening when left remote 2nd 3 out, 7th of 11, 22l behind Marufo (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
