led, clear from 2nd, ridden 2 out, driven and headed final strides
in touch, hit 7th, outpaced 13th, kept on approaching last
tracked leaders, chased leader 2nd until 12th, ridden 4 out, kept on approaching last
tracked leader until 2nd, close up, ridden 13th, weakened 15th
held up, ridden 15th, never on terms
in touch when unseated rider first
close up, chased leader 12th, ridden 4 out, headway approaching last, driven and stayed on to lead final strides
always in rear
keen always towards rear
in touch, headway to 3rd at 15th, ridden next, no impression from 2 out
Sydney Paget made most and jumped well when landing a beginners event at Towcester last month and though this is much tougher he looks a nice staying prospect and will love the conditions. Mcmurrough won handicaps at Newcastle and Wetherby before finding Cheltenham a step too far and back in this grade has to be respected as does My Boy Paddy, who found Bangor's 3m6f just beyond him though he only faded from around two out. Emperor's Choice battled to victory in a very tight finish at Taunton last month and as that was only his fifth start over fences he's entitled to make further progress and looks well enough handicapped but the fact that MARKADAM is unbeaten on this course may just give him the edge. Dianne Sayer's charge has been here three times and won the lot and though raised a massive 12lb for his latest success his rider can claim almost half back so he's expected to retain his unbeaten record around here.
Sydney Paget (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) With leader, led 6th, clear from before 2 out, heavily eased towards finish, won at Towcester 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Jan beating Badgers Cove (11-0) by 11l, 7 ran.
McMurrough (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, reminder s 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Vino Griego (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan, 13 ran.
You Know Yourself (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd at 9th, led 11th, headed run-in, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2l behind Rolecarr (11-1) at Kelso 2m 7f Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Arbor Supreme (IRE) 5-1 (10-1) Mistake 1st, held up towards rear, headway at 9th, 6th halfway, ridden 4 out, no extra before next, weakened and pulled up before last, in a race won by Spot The Boss (9-10) at Punchestown 3m 4f hcp chs hvy, 10 ran.
Vamizi (IRE) 13-2 (9-11) Mid-division, ridden 11th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Cannington Brook (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
My Boy Paddy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, not fluent 11th, headway when not fluent 4 out, went 4th before 2 out, one pace, no impression, 4th of 15, 35l behind Alderluck (11-5) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd 9th, not fleunt 2 out, driven and challenging when carried left final 150 yards, led post, won at Taunton 2m 7f beg chase (4) sft in Jan beating Shuil Royale (11-0) by shd, 7 ran.
Markadam 16-1 (11-3) Held up behind, raced wide and took closer order before 3rd, led 13th, pressed 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating The Friary (10-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Roseneath (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Always in rear, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Clash Duff (11-9) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar, 12 ran.
Classic Cut 10-1 (10-1) Led until 2nd chased leader until slow 5th, went 2nd again next, led again 11th until next, weakened before 4 out, mistake 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, 38l behind Consigliere (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
