chased leader, pulled hard and disputed lead after 3rd, lost position 9th, mistake 10th and soon niggled along, ridden after 4 out (usually 5 out), no impression home straight
close up and chased leader, travelling well and pressed leader 3 out and 2 out (usually 4 out and 3 out), every chance last (usually 2 out), weakened run-in and lost 2nd final 110 yards
chased leader, mistake 4 out (usually 5 out), ridden along before 3 out (usually 4 out), stayed on nicely after 2 out (usually 3 out)
towards rear, driven before 4 out (usually 5 out), weakened after 3 out (usually 4 out)
towards rear, closer after the 7th, tracked leaders before 4 out (usually 5 out), ridden after 3 out (usually 4 out), stayed on but well held
towards rear, ridden along before 7th, soon weakened and tailed off, pulled up before 8th
made all, led narrowly, not fluent 4th, pressed and ridden along 3 out and 2 out (usually 4 out and 3 out), led narrowly last (usually 2 out), kept on gamely when driven out run-in
NonRunner
NonRunner
Philip Hobbs has trained two of the last four winners and ST BARTS (NAP) looks to have leading claims. A runner-up at Exeter on last month’s reappearance and chasing debut, both of his earlier wins over hurdles came in heavy going and a bold bid is expected today. Thomas Macdonagh also made a decent start over fences when fourth at Stratford though has a bit to prove over this longer trip and Lies About Milan makes more appeal handicapping for the first time on his second start after wind surgery. Jammy George is more exposed over fences though Ask Me Early makes his chasing bow and could go well having won a point-to-point.
Burrows Park (FR) 22-1 (11-9) Led until 3rd, prominent, lost place quickly before 12th, blundered 4 out, well behind after, 6th of 10, 21l behind Canelo (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Thomas Macdonagh 9-1 (11-4) Led until 1st, led 3rd, ridden and headed final bend, soon beaten, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 7, 8l behind Happygolucky (11-4) at Stratford 2m 5f (4) gs in Oct.
Lord Napier (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Slowly into stride, in touch by 3rd, ridden 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, no chance with winner, 4th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Canelo (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Lies About Milan (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Close up, ridden and lost ground before 12th, one pace from 3 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 6, 18l behind William Henry (11-4) at Hereford 3m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Good And Hardy (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 6th, headed before not fluent 8th, soon weakened, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Small Farm (IRE) 80-1 (11-1) Held up out wide, mistake 2nd caused rival to unseat rider, brief headway at halfway, lost position when ridden before 5 out, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Ask Me Early (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) Led, joined 3 out, soon ridden and headed next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 13 1/4l behind Sending Love (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Jammy George (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) Mid-division, pushed along and headed over 4 out, soon dropped to rear, weakened and pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
St Barts (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Close up, disputed lead after 12th, not fluent 4 out, hampered and carried left 3 out, switched right before 2 out, rallied well on the run to the last, stayed on strongly to press leader close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ofalltheginjoints (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
