made all, hit 3rd, clear 3 out, jumped left and not fluent 2 out, went left last, unchallenged
jumped left, chased winner, hit 2nd, dived at 5th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in last, took keen hold, went 3rd after 4 out, chased (clear) winner after next, no impression, hit last
chased leaders, not fluent 4th, went 2nd 4 out until after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
Only four runners in this and two of them are trained by Dan Skelton. Harry rides consistent Doncaster winner Peppay Le Pugh so he’s probably the stable selection ahead of Holryale, who lacks a recent run. But CLONDAW CASTLE (NAP) is on an upward curve and beat an odds-on favourite at Leicester without coming off the bridle. His jumping is also improving with experience so he can defy top weight. Railroad Junkie is shooting up the weights and may be found wanting on this occasion.
Clondaw Castle (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Jumped well, made all, drew readily clear after 3 out, unchallenged after, easily, won at Leicester 2m (3) gf in Jan beating Burbank (10-12) by 10l, 3 ran.
Holryale (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leader, tracked new leader 3rd, led before 2 out, ridden and pressed when blundered last, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Romanor (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Peppay Le Pugh (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-4) In rear and keen, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Instant Replay (11-1) by 6l, 5 ran.
Railroad Junkie (IRE) 11-8fav (11-3) Chased leaders, took closer order 6th, not fluent next, chased winner 4 out, mistake next, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance after last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Boagrius (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
