made all, clear 3 out, eased heavily towards finish
held up in rear, race wide straight, down tools 6th, soon lost place, hard ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd near finish
held up, outpaced 6th, chased winner 3 out blundered next, no impression
in touch, chased winner from 5th until hit 4 out, lost 3rd near finish, never dangerous
tracked leaders, blundered and outpaced 4 out, never dangerous after
tracked winner until after 5th, chased winner again four out, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up after 2 out
Nonrunner
Percussionist can take the opportunity to exploit a favourable chase mark in this event with Wild Cane Ridge and Poker De Sivola the most obvious dangers. Howard Johnson's charge isn't the most straight-forward of individuals but he does have a 50% strike rate in hurdling events. The trip is something of a step into the unknown but his class can see him through. Wild Cane Ridge has demonstrated his better form over further. Better known as a chaser, he was not disgraced on a recent start at Cheltenham. Poker De Sivola is far better than his recent form suggests. The ground presents no problems whatsoever. Storymaker is a versatile sort who can run over any distance between two miles and 3m5f. Lightly weighted, he cannot be dismissed too readily. Nelson Du Ronceray has won over two miles. Ever Present is a confirmed mudlark while John Forbes is able but unreliable. Percussionist can have his rivals dancing to his tune.
Wild Cane Ridge (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led, hit 3rd and 9th, ridden after 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 12, 4l behind Leading Contender (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Poker De Sivola (FR) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 37l behind Raslan (11-12) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Percussionist (IRE) 9-4fav (11-4) Soon dropped to rear, hit 7th, driven and stayed on from 3 out, never in contention, 4th of 8, 28l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 5-2 (11-7) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 15, 14l behind Young Albert (11-7) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
John Forbes 6-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, mistakes, weakened from 5 out, 4th of 6, 28l behind Dark Corner (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Storymaker 11-1 (10-8) Prominent, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, rallied to regain lead flat, all out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov beating Etched In Stone (10-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
Ever Present (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, mistake 9th, mistake 12th, headed approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 46l behind Patricksnineteenth (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec.
