tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd approaching last (usual 2 out), ridden to challenge when edged left over 1f out, kept on, held towards finish
tracked winner, pushed along 2 out (usual 3 out), lost place last (usual 2 out), soon weakened
made all, switched wide when hit 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden over 1f out, hard pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well ( 3 flights omitted, low sun)
in touch in rear, not fluent 3 out (usual 4 out), driven to chase leaders after last (usual 2 out), ridden over 1f out, just got better of duel for 3rd near finish, not trouble front pair
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and no impression with front pair from over 1f out, just lost out in duel for 3rd near finish
NonRunner
Summerville Boy went close in this trial before winning the Supreme Novices’ for Tom George here in March and the trainer has similar aspirations for SEDDON. He faded away in the closing stages of the Champion Bumper here but landed the odds with a commanding victory at Stratford on his hurdling bow and we’ll find out just how good he is today. Itchy Feet won a Listed contest at Kempton with a gutsy display and the progressive Anytime Will Do won more easily at Bangor than the narrow-winning margin suggests. Colin Tizzard sent out last year’s winner and Elixir De Nutz will be sharper for last month’s second in a course and distance maiden while Colonel Custard is worth a try in this higher grade having won easily at Newton Abbot on his hurdling debut. Two For Gold has won two of his three starts in bumpers and goes hurdling for the first time.
Itchy Feet (FR) 5-2 (11-0) 12 seconds lapsed from walking through start until they broke into a canter, made all, increased pace 2nd, clear 4th until not fluent 5th, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct beating Grand Sancy (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Colonel Custard (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, driven to lead 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) hvy in Oct beating Glen Forsa (10-12) by 5l, 9 ran.
Elixir De Nutz (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Led, hard pressed from 2 out, headed and hampered flat, no impression on winner after, kept on to hold 2nd, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Thomas Darby (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m mdn (3) gd in Oct.
Seddon (IRE) 8-11fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, led before last, quickened away, won at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Nov beating Not That Fuisse (11-8) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Two For Gold (IRE) 9-4fav (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 2f out, edged right inside final furlong, held on near finish, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (5) gs in Feb beating Finalshot (11-2) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Anytime Will Do (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4th, led 2 out, kept on well run-in, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating My Mate Mark (10-12) by 3/4l, 13 ran.
