tracked leaders, led after 4 out, driven clear from last
tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, headed soon after, weakened approaching last
led, headed approaching 4 out, weakened next, mistake 2 out
held up in touch, outpaced when hit 7th, blundered next, kept on from 4 out
towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened from next, tailed off when pulled up before2 out
in rear, pushed along 2nd, outpaced from 6th, kept on from 4 out
Another Native, The Local and Mr Prickle form the shortlist, with the vote going to Mr Prickle. Another Native looked very promising when scoring twice in December and, much as his form then went awry, he can go well at this level after a month off although today's trip is probably a little on the short side of ideal. Mr Prickle swerved a Huntingdon engagement during the week owing to the going but, judged on his Newcastle win last time, conditions will suit him today and, as he's on the up in terms of improvement, he can go well although, again, the drop in trip, arguably, might not be absolutely ideal. The Local is officially rated the best of this field and, despite his quirks, he hasn't done a lot wrong over fences and he will be suited by today's trip. Salhood is a 121-rated winning hurdler but has had just the one run over fences so far which might count against him as these obstacles don't take any prisoners. Finally, Dance Party showed some promise on his chasing debut, but, for the selection, we will stick with one of those already mentioned, namely Mr Prickle.
Another Native (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, every chance next, weakened approaching last, 5th of 7, 23l behind No Full (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 6-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, clear before next, easily, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb beating Moscow Leader (11-10) by 19l, 15 ran.
The Local 1-2fav (11-0) Led,, headed approaching 2 out, led again flat, driven out, won at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating Give Me Love (10-9) by a hd, 5 ran.
Salhood 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders until 7th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 7, 43l behind Nice Try (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) sft.
The Associate (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Always behind, last of 7, well behind Iron Man (10-7) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Dance Party (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up, pushed along and outpaced from 5th, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 9, 20l behind Nifty Roy (10-3) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
