tracked leader, challenged before 4 out, led before 3 out, hard ridden and pressed after last, kept on, all out
led and keen, jumped left throughout, headed approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened after last
tracked leaders and keen, outpaced after 5th, ridden and headway after 3 out, hard ridden and every chance run-in, soon hung left, kept on, held towards finish
held up in touch, upsides winner when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
always well behind, never a factor, left a remote 4th from 3 out
Alfie Flits is a classy performer on his day but he's been a little disappointing since beating Blackpool Billy at Kelso in November. Cadoudalas has already had nine runs over fences but comes here chasing a hat-trick after wins at Chepstow and Hereford. Wind Shuffle held off the fast-finishing Nafaath at Ayr last month on his return from a break and should strip fitter here but Howard Johnson has a couple of interesting entries in INDIAN GROOM and King O'The Gypsies. The latter has won twice over hurdles but gives the impression he'll need a longer trip than this over fences so preference is for the former, who had decent form over the smaller obstacles when there was plenty of give in the ground and was sent off favourite when unseating his rider on his chasing debut at Hexham in the autumn. Hopefully lessons will have been learned that day.
Cadoudalas (FR) 4-1 (11-5) With leader, led 3rd, not fluent 8th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan beating Oscar Gogo (11-4) by 9l, 9 ran.
Wind Shuffle (GER) 6-1 (11-0) Made all, hit 7th, driven and hard pressed 2 out, ridden flat, stayed on gamely, just held on, won at Ayr 2m nov chs (4) gd in Jan beating Nafaath (10-10) by ns, 5 ran.
Indian Groom (IRE) 5-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, jumped right and lost place 5th, close up in 3rd when jumped awkwardly and unseated rider next, in a race won by Saveiro (11-3) at Hexham 2m beg chs (4) sft in Oct, 5 ran.
King O'The Gypsies (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, slipped on bend approaching 4th, chased winner before 2 out, challenged last, kept on to lead last strides, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov beating Mini Beck (10-4) by ns, 10 ran.
Cloonawillin Lady (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) In rear, left 23 lengths down in 2nd 4 out, ridden after last, closing on winner towards finish, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 3/4l behind Si Bien (11-0) at Newcastle 2m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.
Alfie Flits 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistakes, lost place from 9th, tailed off from 5 out, 4th of 5, well behind Alvarado (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
