held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, blundered and lost place next, weakened from 2 out
prominent, left in lead 3rd, headed 6th, in touch outpaced on outside after 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 5 out, outpaced after next, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression
prominent, led 6th, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression with front pair before last
chased leaders, lost place when not fluent 12th, headway 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led approaching next, ridden 3 lengths clear before last, kept on under pressure flat
held up behind, struggling 5 out, hit next, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
held up in touch, tracked leaders 5 out, close up in 4th when blundered 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression before last
held up in rear, headway after 4 out, close up next, went 2nd before last, driven and kept on flat, not reach winner
led narrowly when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
Arthur's Gift was in good form in the latter half of last year and would be interesting if taking to fences. Drovers Lane made a winning start over the larger obstacles at Hereford and Wolfcatcher did likewise at Newton Abbot. Traditional Dancer has been running well on the Flat since last seen over hurdles and could be leniently treated while Oakley Hall, Wandrin Star and Polydora are all worth a market check but Reigning Supreme has a bit to prove at present. MOLLY THE DOLLY won a point-to-point in 2016 so there is a good chance she’ll leave her hurdles form behind now tackling fences – Dan Skelton’s mare gets the nod.
Drovers Lane (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Tracked leader, jumped well, led approaching 2 out, drew clear last, impressive, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Oct beating Cresswell Legend (11-8) by 9l, 5 ran.
Reigning Supreme (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway before 4th, lost place after next, ridden and struggling 17th, well behind when pulled up after 4 out, at Cheltenham 4m (1) sft in Mar.
Arthur's Gift (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, weakened soon after, last of 11, 25 1/4l behind Kildisart (11-12) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Polydora (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, closed 3rd, mistake 5th, not fluent 9th, blundered 4 out, led 2 out, went right, mistake and headed last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Black Sam Bella (11-5) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in May.
Wandrin Star (IRE) 3-1cfav (11-1) Tracked leading trio, 3rd at 12th, 2nd 14th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and came easily clear between last 2, won at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Ofcourseiwill (11-7) by 22l, 6 ran.
Molly The Dolly (IRE) 5-4 (11-2) Led, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, did close on idling winner from last but no impression, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Good Man Pat (11-9) at Southwell 3m (4) sft in Mar.
Oakley Hall (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Led and set steady pace, dived at 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Secret Investor (11-6) at Kempton 3m (4) gd in May.
Wolfcatcher (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) With leader to 4th, remained close up, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Litterale Ci (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Traditional Dancer (IRE) 5-1 (8-8) Behind, pushed along halfway, headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, every chance approaching final furlong, kept on same pace closing stages, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Last Garrison (9-0) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Sep.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 9-1 (10-11) Prominent, not fluent 1st, fell 6th, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
