tracked leader and keen, about 12 lengths down in 2nd 4 out, left close 2nd 3 out, ridden before last, led soon after, headed run-in, weakened and lost 2nd place towards finish
tracked leaders and not fluent, went 2nd after 4 out and soon left in lead, ridden and headed after last, one pace
held up in rear, pushed along before 7th, blundered next, weakened 5 out
led and keen, clear from 6th, about 15 lengths up when fell 3 out
held up in touch, quickly weakened from 5 out
held up in touch and keen, well held in 4th 4 out, soon left 3rd, headway 2 out, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on well
The hard-pulling Ruthenoise disappointed on her chasing debut and doesn't look particularly well handicapped. Lightening Rod has also failed to settle over fences so far while Mister Stickler's form has been a little in and out, though he was taking on much stronger opposition at Cheltenham last time. Wind Shuffle won over C&D in January but was tailed off at Kelso last month and Kosta Brava's defeat in a modest Sedgefield handicap doesn't bode well for his chances here off a 5lb higher mark. PRESENT TO YOU was well beaten on his debut over fences at Exeter in December and hasn't raced since. But he looks well treated here in comparison to his hurdles rating and first-time blinkers are clearly expected to bring about considerable improvement as he is Richard Johnson's only booked ride of the day - the six-year-old gets a tentative vote.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 2-1 (11-4) Led, mistake 7th, driven when headed 2 out, soon weakened, last of 5, 30l behind Nine Stories (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
Mister Stickler (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, no impression when jumped left next, 11th of 23, 32l behind Oiseau de Nuit (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Lightening Rod 4-11fav (10-7) Held up in rear and keen, went 3rd before 8th, went 2nd before 9th, left in lead 10th, brought down by loose horse next, in a race won by Catch Bob (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in Mar, 5 ran.
Ruthenoise (FR) 8-11fav (10-2) Pulled hard, led and soon well clear, not fluent 5th, reduced lead 4 out, ridden when hit
Present To You (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, chased leaders approaching 4 out, ridden next, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 13, 37l behind Inside Dealer (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Kosta Brava (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch on inside, took keen hold, chased winner before 2 out, ridden and every chance on approach when blundered last, kept on towards finish, always held, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Cranky Corner (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
