led, hampered by loose horse before 2nd, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on
prominent, ridden 2 out, close 3rd last, not quite able to challenge, stayed on
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, some headway before 3 out, soon weakened
2nd briefly 1st, tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, edged right last, driven out
mid-division, ridden and effort before 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, mistakes, headway and jumped left from 3 out, 4th before 2 out, stayed on same pace last
mid-division, ridden and lost place before 3 out
detached last when mistake and unseated rider 1st
prominent, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened
Marley Firth has a course and distance victory to his name and is rated 5lb superior to DON’T ASK but he has a bit to prove after turning in a shocker when favourite last month at Plumpton. Warren Greatrex’ charge also failed under a penalty at Taunton after winning at Bangor but wasn’t beaten far and will get stronger handling here with Richard Johnson in the saddle. Bumper winner Luckofthedraw is an interesting recruit to hurdling and Desque De L'isle was placed in the French Provinces, though is having a first run for Venetia Williams following a lengthy absence.
Don't Ask (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Led or disputed lead, clear advantage after 6th, hard pressed when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, mistake and headed last, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 14, 3 3/4l behind Dan Mcgrue (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Marley Firth (IRE) Evensfav (11-11) Chased leader, left in lead after 5th, ridden and headed well before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Jaisalmer (11-5) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Big Fred (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, mistakes, in rear, well beaten before 3 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Jurby (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
Billingsley (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 2nd, headed after omitted 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Indian Hawk (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Cobbler's Son 125-1 (11-5) Towards rear, not that fluent, reminder 2nd, well behind before 3 out, 13th of 15, dist behind Turtle Wars (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Luckofthedraw (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Held up in touch in rear, headway on outside over 4f out, effort to chase front pair 3f out, ridden over 2f out, kept on same pace, no impression from over 1f out, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Don Des Fosses (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Marble Moon (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten 3 out, 7th of 14, dist behind Darcy Ward (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Russian Spy (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) In rear, some headway 3 out, no impression, weakened next, 7th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Carole's Vigilante (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Celer Et Audax 100-1 (11-0) Always behind, 11th of 15, dist behind Melangerie (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Moynihans Girl (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Not fluent, always behind, struggling after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Desque De L'Isle (FR) (10-1) 4th of 12, 7 1/4l behind Dyvaine (10-2) at Cluny 1m 4f gd in Sep.
