chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
mid-division, steady headway 6th, chased leader 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out, chased winner, held before last, kept on one pace run-in
led after 1st, headed 5th, weakened after next, tailed off
always behind, struggling 6th, tailed off
towards rear, fell 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened next
took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, no impression when mistake next
always behind
prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, in command last, driven out
towards rear, struggling and no chance when badly hampered 3 out
led until after first, chased leaders, regained lead 5th, clear next, driven after 3 out, headed before next and weakened
always behind, tailed off when slightly hampered 3 out, pulled up soon after (lost action)
HAVENSTONE showed enough form on his latest run to win a race of this nature and is given the vote ahead of Transvestite and Knock Boy. The selection finished a decent second to Wujood at Uttoxeter last time out after an unsuccessful chase campaign. His confidence should now be restored and if reproducing that same level of form he will prove difficult to beat. Transvestite has won five times on the flat and has shown only a modest amount of ability on his three outings over hurdles to date. That said this does look like one of his easiest opportunities to date so any market moves should be noted. Knock Boy ran a personal best at Worcester last time out when finishing an eye catching second to Doubly Sharp. He is still only lightly raced so is open to further improvement and he is therefore another to add to the short list. But for the winner we return to Havenstone.
Havenstone (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In touch and keen, hard ridden 3 out, stayed on, every chance flat, no extra, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Wujood (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sept.
Transvestite (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Towards rear, ridden 5th, stayed on from 3 out, 5th of 18, 6l behind Black Cloud (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Knock Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost pace after 4 out, rallied 3 out, kept on after last, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Doubly Sharp (10-7) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr.
Ashwell Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 5l behind Picot de Say (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Santera (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, jumped right and mistake 4th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 16, 36l behind Faith And Reason (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sept.
Lady Traill 14-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden after 7th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 5l behind Mizen Raven (11-5) at Southwell 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Huguenot (IRE) 9-2jt-fav (11-3) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, some headway when hit 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 33l behind Kirkhammerton (11-0) at Southwell 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
Raise Again (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 10l behind Party Palace (11-1) at N Abbot 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug.
No Supper (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) In touch and keen, weakening when mistake 2 out and hampered, 11th of 15, well behind Wujood (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sept.
Bollywood (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Hit 4th, always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Three Lions (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd, 11 ran.
King's Majesty (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) Always in rear, 11th of 16, 46l behind Faith And Reason (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Sept.
Posh Emily 20-1 (10-13) Never better than mid-division, 9th of 17, 24l behind Norisan (10-4) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Mattaking (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 5th, 9th of 18, 13l behind Black Cloud (10-11) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Raydan (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Mid-division, struggling after 5th, 15th of 16, well behind Moon Star (11-9) at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
