prominent, ridden and challenged 4 out, kept on one-paced from next
tracked leaders and keen, 3rd and every chance when fell 3 out
in touch when fell 11th
mid-division, hit 13th, ridden and headway 4 out, kept on and no impression from 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off from 5 out
held up, blundered 2nd, hit 7th, behind and pulled up before 4 out
held up, some headway when fell 12th
towards rear, hit 1st, behind from 5 out, pulled up before last
prominent, led 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from next
in touch, behind from 5 out
behind, detatched from 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mistakes in rear, unseated 4th
led, ridden and headed 5 out, stayed on approaching last, no chance with nr
Orswell Crest looked an improved performer when a convincing seven-length winner at Wincanton earlier in the month and is the TEAMtalk pick to follow up. The Philip Hobbs-trained gelding boasts some fair form over fences last term and put up a taking performance at the Somerset venue with a fluent round of jumping having made most of the running. There should be more to come from this likeable type who can offset a subsequent 9lb rise and confirm placings with runner-up Pharpost who was returning from a year on the sidelines with injury and is entitled to come on for the outing. Gottabe is clearly on the upgrade having landed three of his four starts over fences this term but his latest victory looked a weak affair and he may struggle off his revised mark. Pontius made several jumping errors before a last fence fall on his recent chase debut at Cheltenham and can't be backed with confidence while Minella Silver needs more testing conditions to show his best and, along with winning pointer, To The Future, is best watched on his seasonal return.
