Verdict
A surprisingly modest contest in depth given the prize monies on offer and Crathorne is selected ahead of Forest Green and Brave Rebellion. Harry Haynes is a rider that is one to watch for the future and his claim could prove invaluable here. Crathorne ran a solid race over hurdles at Newcastle on ground that was a probably a bit too tacky for him under the circ*mstances and having won three out of four chases, its clear that this race was likely to be the aim. Forest Green is making a belated seasonal appearance. That said, all his form has obtained on a better surface so it would be no surprise to see him go well. Brave Rebellion is a progressive individual with a likeable profile. He goes particularly well on flat tracks and seems to act on any surface. Blaeberry has to shoulder top-weight. Granted, her victories have come at lesser levels than today but she has done nothing wrong in those successes. My Petra has to be respected and is likely to be sent off as favourite. A repeat of her Sandown second to Noland entitles her to be so placed in the market. Gripit N Tipit is not as well treated in England as in Ireland. If the going rides tacky, he is not without a chance. Good Company hacked up at Bangor and could literally be anything. Lots of chances and Crathorne is ours at the likely odds.
Formwatch
Blaeberry 4-7fav (11-4) Tracked leader approaching 4th, not fluent 4 out, led 3 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f mrs nov chs (3) gd in Feb beating La Dame Brune (10-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Forest Green (FR) 5-1 (10-6) Held up, steady headway 11th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 16, 1/2l behind Kings Brook (10-9) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Sept.
My Petra 3-1fav (10-4) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden after 3 out, stayed on near finish, 2nd of 17, 3l behind Tiger Cry (10-6) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Mar.
Templer (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) In touch, hampered 8th, behind from next, soon tailed off, 14th of 20, well behind Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Crathorne (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 4th of 13, 4l behind Soubriquet (10-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Merry Cowboy (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Towards rear, some headway 3 out, never dangerous, 11th of 20, 22l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Unowatimeen (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3rd to 9th, reminders next, soon behind and pulled up at the 12th in race won by The Whisperer (11-0) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb, 8 ran.
Brave Rebellion 85-40 (11-8) Jumped right, held up, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden and ran on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf in Mar beating Sharp Reply (11-8) by a nk, 4 ran.
Gripit N Tipit (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Soon poor 6th, 5th and no danger approaching 4 out, soon no extra under pressure, 6th of 15, well behind J'y Vole (10-10) at Gowran Park 2m 4f nov chs hvy in Jan.
The Real Deal (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, mistake 9th, ridden after 14th, headway 3 out, stayed on strongly flat to lead close home, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Mar beating Kings Euro (11-12) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Daldini 12-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 9, 9l behind The Real Deal (10-6) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) gs in Feb.
Good Company (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, effort 4 out, led last, pushed out flat, won at Bangor 2m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Mar beating Back Among Friends (11-0) by 2l, 5 ran.
The Entomologist (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, hampered 8th and lost place, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 20 ran.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Mid-division until hampered and fell at the 12th in race won by Strawberry (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f mrs hcp chs (1) sft in Mar, 15 ran.
Endless Power (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 9th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last, 2nd of 5, 25l behind Double Eagle (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Dante Hall (IRE) 5-1fav (10-7) Close up, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 19th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 16, well behind Himalayan Trail (9-9) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
