chased clear leader, hit 9th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out
behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
always behind, tailed off 13th
held up, headway 10th, ridden after 12th, weakening when blundered 4 out, 4th and no chance when fell last, remounted and continued
always behind, tailed off and pulled up after 12th
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
jumped right, led, clear 7th, mistake 14th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 4th, behind from 10th, tailed off when badly hampered and carried out after last continued
held up, headway 12th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden after 13th, mistake 14th, soon weakened, tailed off when badly hampered and carried out after last, continued
Ebony Light has been running consistently well all season but seems to be in the grip of the handicapper and may again have to settle for a minor role with the vote going to Howdydoody, who is preferred to Mamideos. The last mentioned is 10lbs higher than when beating subsequent Kim Muir winner Juveigner at Lingfield in December. Tom George's gelding has to be respected but has not been seen since then and may be best watched off his new mark today. Gunner Welburn was put in his place by Red Devil Robert at Newbury last time and may find the opposition less exacting today but probably needs further help from the handicapper, while Jaoka du Gord has more to do than when beating Jimmy Tennis over course and distance here last month. The runner-up cannot be discounted on 10lbs better terms but the vote goes to Howdydoody. The Paul Nicholls-trained gelding run up to his best when third in the Midlands Grand National last month and a reproduction of that form may suffice in this company for a gelding who has not had much racing.
Gunner Welburn 16-1 Held up, headway 11th, led approaching 14th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Red Devil Robert at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs.
Howdydoody (IRE) 8-1 Mid-division, reminders after 8th, ridden when mistake 17th, headway approaching 20th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 18, 8l behind Philson Run at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gs in Mar.
Jimmy Tennis (FR) 11-2 Prominent, pushed along approaching 10th, ridden 2 out, mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Jaoka du Gord at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Latitude (FR) 7-2 Held up, headway and hit 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Noisetine at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft.
El Bandito (IRE) 4-1 Held up, ridden 11th, behind from next, 5th of 6, 32l behind Harapour at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar.
Mamideos (IRE) 7-1 Held up towards rear, headway 10th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, led 2 out, ran on, won at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec beating Juveigneur by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ebony Light (IRE) 9-2 In touch, led after 5th, headed 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Indalo at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Mar.
Jaoka du Gord (FR) 9-2 Held up in rear, headway approaching 13th, led 4 out, clear approaching 2 out, ran on well, won at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Mar beating Jimmy Tennis by 6l, 7 ran.
