led, ridden and headed 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, blundered 2nd and 3rd, in touch when blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
prominent, chased leader 7th, going well 4 out, challenged on bit 3 out, ridden and jumped left 2 out, found nil from approaching last
chased leader, ridden approaching 9th, driven to lead 4 out, kept on well from 2 out
held up, blundered badly and unseated rider 6th
On a strict form line through Narlen, Amir El Jabal is held by WASNTME and so we will select the Colin Tizzard-trained gelding to break his duck. Winless in seven, the nominated horse ran his best race to date when a three lengths second to Bearneen Boy last time at Folkestone. Whilst this trip may be a tad on the short side, his jockey is likely to be aware to any sneaky moves by any front-runners and a big run is expected. Amir El Jabal could be one of those pace-setters as he was when making all to win at Folkestone back in January. He has a 7lb rise in the weights for that win but having won his confidence could be high and he may improve again. Alfatrix on the other hand may be in a trough after pulling up last time. He has been given a two month break since that poor show at Exeter and Timmy Murphy is a considerate jockey who might get a tune out of this potentially well-treated handicap debutant. Pauntley Gofa has been around the houses, but the teenager is not one to rule out completely at a track he likes, whilst Strategic Plan has shown nothing to suggest that he will feature on the podium. Not the strongest of races however Wasntme can land his maiden success.
Amir El Jabal (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Made all, came well clear before 2 out, unchallenged, won at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan beating Narlen (11-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
Pauntley Gofa 12-1 (10-10) In touch, pecked 9th, ridden mistaken, weakened 4 out, 4th of 5, 42l behind Lorient Express (11-13) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Alfatrix (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) In touch, ridden 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by How's Business (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Wasntme (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Raced in 3rd, went 2nd 8th to 4 out, soon outpaced by front pair, rallied from 2 out, went 2nd final 100 yards, closed on winner towards finish, never able to challenge, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Bearneen Boy (10-3) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-90.
Strategic Plan (FR) 22-1 (10-8) Pulled early and held up last, blundered 3rd, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Shake The Barley (11-10) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
