soon well behind, hampered 10th, pulled up after next
chased leaders, ridden after 11th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out
mid-division until 11th, gradually faded, pulled up after 4 out
tracked leaders, led 4th until after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, plugged on
in touch when brought down 10th
soon prominent, hit 3rd, mistake 13th, led after 4 out until next, 3rd and beaten when blundered badly, unseated rider 2 out
mid-division, hit 5th, dropped rear, headway after 11th, mistake next and 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, narrow advantage when mistake last, weakened
soon tailed off, pulled up before 10th
behind, stumbled 11th, soon ridden, blundered 13th, 23 lengths down 4 out, stayed on well from next, led soon after last, driven out
led until 2nd, chased leaders until lost touch 11th, stayed on strongly from 2 out, went 3rd flat
led 2nd, went right, headed 4th, close 5th when fell 10th
held up, headway after 10th, ridden after next, weakened 4 out
Milton Des Bieffes' mark is now too prohibitive, so we will plump for Gunship as the selection, with Mighty Moose and Lizzie Bathwick the best of the rest. Wearing blinkers for the second time, the selection finally came good when sauntering to victory at Chepstow recently. What he beat that day is debatable, however with confidence now at a high he could be capable of racking up a sequence. He will have to overcome an 11lb rise but he was value for more than the winning margin last time out and gets the confident nod today. Mighty Moose is another last-time out winner and he could be involved, assuming he goes as well now stepped back up in trip. It can be assumed that Ross Leader will benefit from this run after a lengthy break so a watching brief is advised, whilst Tradingup would be interesting if putting his woeful last run behind him. River Indus has each-way claims off his low weight, whilst Lizzie Bathwick put up a good show when runner-up at Leicester three weeks ago. Ultimately, this race doesn't look any tougher than the race Gunship won last time so he can go in again.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 9-2 (10-13) Led, mistake 5th, headed after, weakened 8th, 4th of 5, well behind Offemont (11-12) at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Toms Gone Grey (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Chased leader, jumped right 3rd, led 4 out, joined by winner when fell at the 6th in race won by Englishtown (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Lizzie Bathwick (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied 3 out, jumped left 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Englishtown (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Treasulier (IRE) 11-2 (9-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and chased leader 14th, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Wizard of Edge (10-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Ross Leader (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, took closer order after 10th, in 5th when quickly weakened and pulled up 5 out in race won by Benefit (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Apr '05, 12 ran.
Gunship (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Led, headed 5th, led again and mistake 8th, clear advantage 11th, headed briefly 14th, ridden 2 out, kept on well, won at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Southerndown (10-13) by 7l, 16 ran.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In touch, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan beating Ballyaahbutt (9-11) by 10l, 14 ran.
Monger Lane 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, lost place after 5th, last when mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Englishtown (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Tradingup (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Pardini (USA) 10-1 (10-11) Led, ridden and headed 13th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on again towards finish, 4th of 8, 22l behind Phareight Dei (10-7) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy.
Lavenoak Lad 14-1 (10-8) Mid-division, ridden 12th, kept on one pace from 4 out, 4th of 16, 21l behind Iris's Prince (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
River Indus 9-2 (9-11) Chased leaders, led after 4 out, mistake and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace after, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Star Glow (10-10) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
