held up in rear, pushed along 6th, never a factor
took keen hold towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
led until 5th, led again approaching 4 out, strongly challenged approaching last, kept on gamely under pressure
chased leaders, effort 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out
held up in rear, slow 2nd, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, every chance last, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, soon lost place, rallied approaching 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out
tracked leader, led 5th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Mountain Of Mourne proved hard to predict last season and Bassarabad is proving disappointing while Pobbles Bay look harshly treated for what he's achieved. But Spice Fair won on the Flat in August and has twice gone close over timber in the past. One For The Boss was just beaten off a 3lb higher mark over fences when last seen but has only been placed once in six previous tries over timber. Darnitnev has had his chances but ZANSTRA has had just the three starts over hurdles and makes his handicap debut on a potentially lenient mark, he could be the one to beat with Paul O'Brien's 6lb claim a bonus.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 2-1fav (11-3) Held, closed after 2nd, close 3rd when not fluent 2 out, no impression after, not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 7 1/4l behind Filatore (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Spice Fair 20-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, never involved, 7th of 9, 19 1/2l behind Cousin Khee (9-9) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Oct.
Mountain Of Mourne (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Held up, ridden 6th, effort next, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Zanstra (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 5th of 10, 25 3/4l behind Atlantic Gold (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Bassarabad (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear on outer, struggling 4 out, never on terms, 8th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Abricot De L'oasis (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
One For The Boss (IRE) 3-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 4th, slow and reminder next, closed 7th, outpaced 13th, rallied last, ran on, just held, 2nd of 5, shd behind Vesperal Dream (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Darnitnev 7-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, blundered 4 out, headway before 2 out, in 4th and one pace before last, 4th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Barton Antix (11-10) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
