led, pressed 6th, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, tracked leaders in 3rd from 3rd, joined leader 6th, left 2nd 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, lost place after 3 out, headway before 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well
tracked leaders in 3rd, towards rear after 3rd, ridden before 6th, weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway to go 3rd before 2 out, a close 2nd and going well when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up in touch, soon in rear and slightly outpaced, weakened from 3 out
An interesting little claimer and a chance is taken with AJMAN. He's been an essentially frustrating customer for the Williams operation but he does have talent in ordinary handicap company and has definite claims dropped to this level granted a clear round. Dontpaytheferryman is normally a paragon of consistency so it was surprising to see him pull up at Southwell last time. That aberration can probably be put down to the heavy ground and Brian Ellison's charge will be a very tough opponent if reverting to his best. He was a highly respectable fifth at Musselburgh behind the much-improved Brick Red on his penultimate start and rates a major threat. Long Distance also has some fair hurdling form to his name, including a course and distance success last year. Subsequent efforts have been reasonable and he merits shortlist inclusion.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 7-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 7th, weakened after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Bellflower Boy (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) hvy, 7 ran.
Nowurhurlin (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up behind, blundered 1st, soon struggling, 8th of 10, 34l behind Diamond Frontier (11-3) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd.
Fred Bojangals (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, lost place 6th, 14th of 15, well behind Cara Court (9-10) at Catterick 2m 3f ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Long Distance (FR) 5-1 (13-0) Chsd ldrs til wknd 3 out; to & pu last, in a race won by Cool Star (12-3) at Tynedale 3m ptp gs, 7 ran.
Ajman (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up 5th and last, in touch when fell 7th, in a race won by Coverholder (10-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 5 ran.
King Brex (DEN) 16-1 (10-2) Held up behind in touch, blundered 7th, struggling next, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Sacre Toi (11-2) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 8 ran.