in touch, lost place 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
held up, headway after 5 out, soon pushed along, led after 4 out, jumped right 3 out and next, kept on from last
led to 5th, in 3rd and every chance when unseated rider 4 out
with leader, led 5th, headed approaching 4 out, quickly weakened and pulled up
tracked leaders until lost place approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
held up in touch, outpaced and pushed along 13th, left poor 4th 4 out, went 3rd last, no impression
held up, left 3rd 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, mistake 11th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
held up, hit 7th, led approaching 4 out, headed soon after, kept on from last
Manbow, Rutledge Red and Place Above all look to have fairly solid claims here but we will side with River Marshal. The selection has been in decent form of late without getting his head in front. However, he was a fair second last time out behind Multi Talented on ground that was softer than ideal and with conditions in his favour here he is taken to score. Manbow would have a chances on his best form but he was disappointing last time and he reportedly had breathing trouble, so he may be best watched on this occasion. Rutledge Red will be suited by this longer trip and he will have no ground worries, but he made a couple of mistakes last time and looks weighted up to his best. Place Above is game and consistent and is sure to make a bold bid to make all the running, but his best form is on a softer surface and he just gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him when fifth behind Gray's Eulogy last time. Of the remainder, West Coaster has shown a modicum of ability in hunter chases and enters a handicap on a fair mark so is worth noting in the market. However, for the winner we return to River Marshal.
Rutledge Red (IRE) 7-1 In touch, driven 12th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Ross Leader at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gd in Nov.
Manbow (IRE) 10-3 Not fluent, always behind, struggling from 16th, tailed off 4 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Gray's Eulogy at Sandown 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
River Marshal (IRE) 7-2 Tracked leaders, led 3rd and 4th, ridden to chase winner 3 out, hit 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 20l behind Multi Talented at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Feb.
Place Above (IRE) 9-4fav Prominent, led 11th, ridden and headed 3 out, every chance next, mistake last, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 13l behind Gray's Eulogy at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
West Coaster (IRE) 5-4fav Held up in rear, mistake 1st, outpaced 4 ut, rallied after next, weakened approahcing last, virtually pulled up run-in, 6th of 8, well behind Involved at Kelso 3m 1f hts chs (H) sft.
Jack Of Spades (IRE) 18-1 Held up, headway 13th, chased winner from 15th, ridden and every chance 3 out, not quicken flat, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Dun Locha Castle at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd.
Indian Laburnum (IRE) 5-1 Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Headliner at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) hvy in Jan.
Ryminster 5-1jt-fav Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider at the 13th in race won by Dumadic at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd, 11 ran.
