prominent, not fluent 4th or 5th, pushed along and led before 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on, no extra after last
handy early, lost ground and ridden before 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
led, hit 5th and 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, gradually faded
4 mid-division on outside, reminder after 4th, ridden and struggling 3 out
towards rear, reminders after 4th, always behind
towards rear, headway into 5th before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along in 4th after 3 out, ridden and pressed leaders 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well, always doing enough
chased leaders on rail, pushed along before 2 out, led 2 out, soon ridden and pressed, headed approaching last, stayed on but held closing stages
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on, not pace to challenge
towards rear, ridden and headway to chase front group before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, ridden after 3 out, never involved and pulled up before 2 out
Ben Brody doesn’t run over hurdles often nowadays but did win over the smaller obstacles on his reappearance at Uttoxeter. Menin Gate, a winner on the Flat, may do better now going handicapping but John Betjeman keeps finding one too good and needs some help from the handicapper. KAYFAST WARRIOR failed to cope with a penalty in novice company at Wetherby last time having won at that track earlier but should go close here ridden again by the in-form Brian Hughes.
John Betjeman 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader until before 2nd, chased leaders, lost place 4 out, awkward 3 out, rallied chasing leaders before 2 out, mistake last, kept on run-in, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Fine Casting (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Robeam (IRE) 12-1 (9-1) Tracked leader, led 12f out and set steady pace, increased pace 5f out, pushed along over 2f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, held when short of room entering final furlong, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Socially Shady (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Ben Brody (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Chased leader, took it up 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, plugged on from last for distant 2nd, 2nd of 5, dist behind Hasankey (12-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Menin Gate (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked winner, hit 3 out, ridden next, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Hidor De Bersy (11-6) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Tommydan (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened, 9th of 11, dist behind Kihavah (12-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Patient Owner (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 5th, 6th and pushed along before 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 12, 12l behind Hatos (11-6) at Chepstow 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Gamesters Icon 11-2 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Kayfast Warrior (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, pushed along and headed next, tracked winner, ridden when hit next, soon weakened, lost 2nd run in, 3rd of 6, 19 1/4l behind Bonne Vitesse (10-5) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Al Kherb 11-1 (10-13) Close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Vocal Duke (11-9) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Yambocharlie 4-1 (11-12) Restrained in rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 15l behind Taragrace (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jan.
Llantara 12-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, well beaten from 3 out, hanging left after 2 out, last of 9, 35l behind Jaunty Freyja (10-1) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
