refused to race, took no part
mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden, weakened approaching last
towards rear, some progress 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, brief effort 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakening when hit last
held up mid-division, behind from 8th, mistake 3 out
never dangerous
held up, behind, headway 3 out, ridden, every chance flat, just failed
refused to race, took no part
tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, switched right last, one pace
tracked leader, blundered 2nd, close up when fell 2 out
made all, challenged from last, held on, all out
Nonrunner
A chance is taken with STRIDENT in this tricky handicap chase. Great Tsar and Mighty Moose are forwarded as the best alternatives. The last named will like the ground and is capable of posting a big run. He is well treated just now and should not be written off despite having lost the winning thread lately. Great Tsar has yet to win a race and is exposed as ordinary. However, he is also admirably consistent and deserves to get his head in front some day. Quite whether this will be his day is debatable, though. Therefore, we turn to Strident in the search for a main contender. The much travelled gelding has a solid profile for a race of this nature and, as he has been hammering on the door for a while it would be no surprise to see all the pieces fit tighter for Strident today.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Mostly chased leader until 7th, ridden and struggling 10th, well behind 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 38l behind Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Craven (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Always behind, blundered 12th and pulled up at the 13th in race won by Never So Blue (11-3) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Silver Adonis (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Held up behind leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after next, 5th of 7, 27l behind Fix The Rib (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Noble Bily (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Mr Big (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Strident (USA) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, hit 8th, headway from 3 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 6l behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Held up last, ridden 8th, blundered 9th, soon weakened, behind from 4 out, 3rd of 8, well behind Ping Pong Sivola (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Great Tsar (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Led, mistakes, headed 9th, led again approaching 3 out, soon headed, staying on one pace when blundered last, not recover, 5th of 10, 7l behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden halfway, behind when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Oscar Jack (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Humid Climate 25-1 (10-1) Chased clear leader until 5th, rallied approaching 2 out, led before last, ran on well, won at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun beating Spiritual Society (11-6) by 7l, 8 ran.
Rash Moment (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Towards rear, weakened 10th and pulled up in race won by Borero (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Tom Fontenailles (FR) 12-1 (10-9) Prominent, ridden, weakened 9th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Oscar Jack (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind Aheadofhistime (11-7) at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
Day du Roy (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 15, 15l behind Cusp (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
