tracked leaders in 4th, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed run-in, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 3 out, led run-in, kept on well, ridden out
led, headed after 4 out, jumped right 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, in 4th when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
with leader early, tracked leader, led after 4 out, blundered 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, weakened run-in
in rear, not fluent 1st and 2nd, tailed off 6th, pulled up
held up in touch, mistake 7th, in 5th and blundered 4 out, soon weakened
Le Bacardy has been a big disappointment this winter and faces a couple of in-form rivals here. Cloudy Joker and ARKAIM are both chasing hat-tricks but the drop in distance could be a problem for the former whereas the latter has already recorded victories over 2m1f at Towcester and Huntingdon. With Kielan Woods taking off 3lb again, Pam Sly's charge gets the nod. Bocamix might also prefer a bit further but was second off today's mark over course and distance three weeks ago and Prince Of Dreams could figure with a clear round, though has a poor strike rate. Lucky Sunny pulled too hard and was pulled up at Haydock last time but this is a much less competitive affair and a market move would be interesting.
Prince Of Dreams 12-1 (10-11) Held up, closed 6th, blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Dare Me (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy, 9 ran.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 5 out, wandered approaching 2 out, ridden flat, hard pressed towards finish, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Benbens (10-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Arkaim 10-3 (11-5) Took keen hold, led after 1st, clear before next until 8th, driven and edged right flat, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov beating Bertie's Desire (10-4) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Lucky Sunny (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, pressed leader until not fluent 8th, lost place 10th, well beaten after 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Kilcrea Asla (9-10) at Haydock 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Saddle Pack (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) With leader to 3rd, soon mid-division, no danger after, 7th of 10, 17l behind Tikkandemickey (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Bocamix (FR) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge last, no extra close home, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Cara Court (10-8) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft.
Le Bacardy (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in last, mistake 3rd (water), behind when jumped slowly next, tailed off when mistake 3 out, 5th of 6, 50l behind Baile Anrai (11-9) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
