held up in touch on outside, close up in 4th when fell 4 out (usual 5 out)
led, reminder after 5th, headed 3 out (usual 4 out), no chance with front pair after
soon behind, headway and in touch 8th, tracked front pair 10th, led 3 out (usual 4 out), headed last, no chance with winner flat
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 9th, soon behind, weakened 4 out (usual 5 out), tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in touch, lost place and behind before 8th, left remote 4th 3 out (usual 4 out), no chance with leaders
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 10th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
tracked leader, outpaced after 3 out (usual 4 out), rallied after 2 out, led narrowly last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well (4 fences omitted)
Warrantor still looks to have the scope to do better but only got as far as the first at Catterick last week after scoring on heavy ground at Lingfield. One For Arthur, who completed a hat-trick over hurdles around this time last year, made a successful debut over fences and has been quite highly tried subsequently so this looks more his grade. ALTO DES MOTTES easily landed a Newcastle handicap at around this trip and looked certain to complete a double over 3m6f at Catterick when in a clear lead at the last but he stumbled on landing and tired quickly. He's only a six-year-old and should be progressive enough to get back to winning ways. Courtown Oscar is a heavy-ground stayer who has won twice over hurdles around here and has also scored twice over fences. He's 11lb higher than his last winning mark but should still get into the action. Friendly Royal's latest defeat at Wetherby was in a better race than this and he was only narrowly beaten at Haydock at this level in December.
Warrantor (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In rear when mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Barafundle (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Behind, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, 14th of 19, dist behind Emerging Force (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
One For Arthur (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Prominent, dropped to mid-division after 4th, chased leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), never on terms, lost modest 4th after last (usual 2 out), 5th of 12, dist behind King's Odyssey (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Alto Des Mottes (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 16th, led next, drew clear 3 out, 8 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and tired final 50 yards, headed final strides, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Lackamon (11-4) at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Tikkandemickey (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led 6th, headed 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 27 1/4l behind Special Catch (11-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Friendly Royal (IRE) 3-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, early reminder, pecked 3rd, ridden 5 out, and soon outpaced, plugged on and left 3rd before last, never dangerous, 4th of 7, dist behind Sew On Target (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Courtown Oscar (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) With leader, led 4th, not fluent and headed 4 out, not fluent next, one pace in 3rd 2 out, stayed on towards finish, last of 3, 2 1/2l behind Subtle Grey (11-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
