held up in rear, mistakes 1st and 2nd, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
held up, closed 7th, every chance 2 out, one pace flat
held up, closed 7th, 2nd 4 out, led after 3 out, stayed on well flat
held up, headway 8th, mistake 9th, driven 3 out, went 3rd after 2 out, weakening when went right last
led to 3rd, chased leader, blundered 6th, weakened after 3 out
with leader, mistake 1st, led 3rd, ridden after 8th, headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, went right last
held up, closed when mistake 7th, mistake 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
PIPO DE RE looked to be a horse with a future when falling at Wincanton and he's preferred to Fourball and Pacco. He was thrown straight into handicap company for his chase bow but jumped like an old pro until falling four from home. It was some way out but he was travelling like the winner at the time, races from the same mark and can make amends having worked on his jumping in the interim. Fourball made a satisfactory debut for the yard at Leicester in January and should come on for the run as it was his first in a year. His yard has a very impressive record at the track and he has to be on the short-list. Pacco disappointed at Chepstow over three miles on his latest start but it's worth forgiving him that display as he had been progressing nicely prior to that run and he has proven form at this track. The selection has plenty of scope though and we fancy Pipo De Re to score.
Fourball (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, ridden 3 out, went 3rd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Busy Isit (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Pipo De Re (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Prominent, headway approaching 13th to chase leader, every chance when fell 4 out in race won by Le Burf (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Pacco (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 13th, weakened 2 out, 7th of 18, 28l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Massini Sunset (IRE) 11-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Le Burf (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led after 1st, hit 10th, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Woodlands Genpower (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Major Catch (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, weakened after 10th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Phardessa (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy, 10 ran.
Lescer's Lad 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, challenged last, led flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan beating Kinkeel (9-13) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
