held up in 5th until closer in 4th place 3rd, mistake 5th, pushed along and outpaced in rear after, weakened 4 out, tailed off when mistake next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd after 5th until next, led and hit 3 out, pushed clear before next, easily
jumped right, chased leader until mistake 5th, 2nd again next, every chance when awkward 3 out, dropped to 3rd soon after, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, mistake and lost remote 3rd last
chased leading trio until 3rd, mistake and struggling next, reminders and went 4th again after 5th, hit 6th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, went remote 3rd last
jumped left, led until reminders and headed before 3 out, driven in 2nd after 3 out, one pace and no chance with easy winner
Donald McCain has trained the winner of this twice in the last seven years and saddles Thomas Do. He is a points winner but has been struggling for pace so far under Rules. JOHANOS has travelled up from Devon and is difficult to oppose on his runs behind useful types at Taunton and Ludlow. Largy Bull hinted at ability in his first three runs over hurdles but blotted his copybook last time at Newcastle. It’s difficult to make a case for the remaining trio.
Derrydoon 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, left remote 3rd from last, 3rd of 8, dist behind Chti Balko (11-2) at Catterick 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Johanos (FR) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace last, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Ridgeway Flyer (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Feb.
Largy Bull (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, lost place approaching 5th, mistake 8th, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Jan.
Skywards Reward (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, in touch, disputed lead from 3rd, lost place 8th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 32 1/2l behind Skipthecuddles (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
Thomas Do (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 16, 33 1/4l behind Forza Milan (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Skipthescales (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 5th of 9, 35 3/4l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-10) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
