tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 7th until approaching 12th, outpaced 3 out, rallied from 2 out, switched left flat, stayed on to 3rd post
raced wide and patiently ridden and held up in touch in last pair, headway approaching 11th, hit next, chased leading pair before 2 out, challenged 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, driven before last, led under pressure run in, stayed on
led, ridden and headed when stumbled badly 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, rallied under pressure to 2nd again run in, kept on same pace
took keen hold in touch, fell 7th
held up in last pair, smooth headway on inside approaching 11th, disputing 2nd next, travelling ok 3 out, weakened tamely before next, tailed off
held up in touch, headway to track leaders 7th, not fluent 10th, disputing close 2nd when blundered badly nearly unseating rider 4 out, 2nd next, ridden to lead, dived at 2 out, driven soon after, headed run in, dropped to 3rd, lost 3rd post
mistake 1st, tracked leader until approaching 7th, chased leading pair, mistake and weakened 12th, soon behind, lost touch and went right 2 out
Nonrunner
Ballinvarrig got off the mark at Exeter last month and should be a factor here. Benefit Cut, Pearls Legend and Fair Bramble have all been knocking on the door with the latter particularly interesting as she was racing from a long way out of the handicap when only beaten a length-and-a-half at Exeter. Bobcatbilly won at Ludlow and Haydock last month and could be improving but Cloudy Bob has a lot to prove over fences and has been rated on his hurdles form. KINGCORA makes a swift reappearance after an improved second at Exeter. He did finish behind Bobcatbilly at Ludlow but enjoys a 9lb turnaround in the weights and could reverse that running today.
Cloudy Bob (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, not much room and switched left after 3 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd from next, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Foxcub (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Ballinvarrig (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out until the last, rallied under pressure flat to lead final 50 yards, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec beating Ray Diamond (10-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Led and soon clear, reduced lead before 2 out, driven between last 2, edged left and headed beore mistake last, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Capellanus (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.
Pearls Legend 9-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, ridden before next, 3 lengths down when blundered and lost any chance 3 out, no chance in clear 2nd before next, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Last Shot (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 6-4fav (10-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, edged left, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec beating Supreme Asset (11-5) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
Kingcora (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division on inner, headway 4 out, went 2nd before last, kept on and no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Umberto D'olivate (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Fair Bramble 10-1 (10-5) Jumped right, took keen hold tracking winner until 2 out, ridden and rallied to 2nd again last, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Midnight Lira (10-2) at Exeter 2m 3f mares nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Dont Do Mondays (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 43l behind Kambis (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Apr.
