towards rear, ridden 8th, weakened 10th
in touch until 3rd, lost touch 7th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened 10th
held up, headway 10th to chase leading trio, weakened 3 out
led and keen, ridden approaching 2 out, headed last and one pace
tracked leaders, ridden and mistake 9th, weakened 4 out, tired when mistake last
held up, closer orders 7th, kept on for poor 4th
towards rear and keen, smooth headway 4 out, joined leader 2 out, led on bit soon after, hit last, ran on, easily
mid-idivision, headway to track leader 3rd, ridden and lost 2nd 2 out, one pace
Asudo has leading claims and gets the vote over Valance, Potts Of Magic and Keepers Mead. Asudo looked one to follow when chasing home Leading Contender on his bumper bow at Chepstow last October, and it was no surprise when he duly followed up there next time. Down the field in a Listed bumper at Cheltenham in November, he was put away until making his debut over hurdles at Towcester just last month. In truth he had little to beat, but did it in style, and does not appear badly treated for his first handicap. He should have the scope to beat today's rivals, the best of whom may be Valance. Charlie Egerton's charge was up against it at Ascot last time, in the end finishing sixth behind Desert Quest. This is a drop in grade, and so connections will expect him to go close, but he has looked beatable over timber in the past. Potts Of Magic has struggled since going into treble figures in the handicap, while Keepers Mead is put back over hurdles after failing to impress on his return to chasing at Exeter. He is better treated here and may be in the shake-up, but we much prefer the claims of Asudo who has more to offer.
Global Challenge (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th to 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 8, 16l behind Take The Stand (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Irishkawa Bellevue (FR) 80-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 6th, lost touch 3 out, 14th of 16, well behind Desert Tommy (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Oct.
Keepers Mead (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th and lost place, headway 7th, lost touch from 11th, 4th of 6, 43l behind Boychuk (10-12) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gf in Oct.
Lady of Scarvagh (IRE) 25-1 (9-7) Led to 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, last of 6, 14l behind Bold Fire (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl (2) gd.
Asudo (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Made all, clear 2nd, ridden approaching last, won at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating Geordie Peacock (10-12) by 11l, 12 ran.
Bobsleigh 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again, not reach leaders, 3rd of 17, 2 1/2l behind Arabian Moon (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (5) gf.
Alfa Sunrise 33-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in touch, joined leader 10th, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 20l behind Blaeberry (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Potts of Magic 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, effort after 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 12, 28l behind Irish Wolf (11-11) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Ingres 11-2 (11-4) In touch, headway 6th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 2 1/2l behind Chamacco (11-2) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Lyes Green 12-1 (11-2) Mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off 7th, 14th of 16, well behind Mith Hill (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Ladino (FR) 20-1 (10-2) Held up, ridden 7th, soon struggling, 8th of 11, 31l behind Glacial Sunset (10-13) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd.
Valance (IRE) 22-1 (9-7) In touch, out paced 5th, stayed on again past beaten horses from 2 out, 6th of 15, 21l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
