held up tracking leaders, headway into 3rd after 7th, ridden after 3 out, driven and not quicken between last 2, stayed on into 2nd final 150 yards and kept on, not quite going pace of winner
jumped well, tracked leader until approaching 3rd, went 2nd again 6th, led 9th until 2 out, chased winner, kept on until no extra and dropped to 3rd final 150 yards
tracked leaders, 2nd approaching 3rd, led after 3rd until not fluent and headed 6th, dropped to last pair after next, weakened 4 out, tailed off
jumped well, led until after 3rd, tracked leader, led again 6th until 9th, chased leader, led again 2 out, ridden and stayed on well run-in
chased leaders, blundered 4 out, outpaced and no chance next
Cold March was hampered and fell at the first on his UK debut but had decent form in France and shouldn't be written off just yet. But he doesn't look particularly well handicapped here compared to dual Towcester winner Garrahalish and the fast-improving Dance Floor King. Soft ground is a concern for the latter, however, whereas KEY TO THE WEST (NAP) loves the mud as he showed when jumping well and quickening clear of his rivals at Uttoxeter 10 days ago. He has a penalty here but is capable of defying the extra. Fond Memory has been well beaten at Ludlow since winning at Kempton.
Garrahalish (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Raced wide, made all, often jumped exuberantly, went right and mistake 1st, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) hvy in Nov beating Theatrebar (11-2) by 2l, 4 ran.
Cold March (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Fell 1st, in a race won by Black River (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) sft, 8 ran.
Key To The West (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Made all, jumped slightly right at times, clear before last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft beating Keel Haul (11-8) by 9l, 5 ran.
Dance Floor King (IRE) 9-4 (11-4) Made all, ridden clear before last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Quite By Chance (11-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Fond Memory (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Tracked leader, mistake 7th, 3rd and one pace 3 out, no extra next, 3rd of 10, 18l behind Vivaccio (11-3) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
