held up in touch, lost place before 4 out, soon ridden, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, pushed along before 3 out, every chance 2 out and not fluent, weakened before last
towards rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd on bit before last, ridden run-in, lost 2nd place when no extra towards finish
held up in touch, chased leaders before 2 out, ridden before last, one pace
towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon pushed along, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, led 2 out, kept on towards finish, driven out
held up mid-division, headway from 2 out, kept on run-in, went 2nd towards finish
in touch, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
Castafiore is worth a market check here as she has been taking on better company and was third last time at Fontwell. But there should be more to come from ONE FOR BILLY, who has won two of his five hurdle starts and probably had more in hand than the official margin suggest at Warwick last month. Eskendash rarely runs a bad race and should be winning soon while Crackdeloust has a chance against the selection on Hexham running in May, though has been a shade disappointing since. Helmsley Lad has gone backwards since finishing third at Kelso in January but Buyer Beware and Pumaflor have each-way claims.
Brotherly Company (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Chased clear leading pair, not fluent 3rd, closed 4 out, 2nd before 3 out until ridden before next, soon weakened, eased run-in, last of 8, dist behind Doubly Clever (11-8) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Ink Master (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Led until 1st, tracked leader, not fluent 5th, hit 8th, lost place 2 out, weakened, 7th of 8, 31 1/2l behind Baby King (11-4) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
One For Billy 12-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, driven to chase leaders before next, soon challenged, ridden to lead flat, held on, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Oxwich Bay (11-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Helmsley Lad 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, effort 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression before last, weakened flat, 6th of 7, 15l behind Benny's Secret (10-13) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Cape Hideaway 10-1 (11-9) Always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Eskendash (USA) 4-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway on inside after 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, stayed on same pace next, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Clondaw Castle (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Crackdeloust (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Balgemmois (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Buyer Beware (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Superior Command (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Castafiore (USA) 14-1 (11-6) Led, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4 out, headed next, soon rallied, weakened after omitted last, 3rd of 7, 9 3/4l behind Lady Of Lamanver (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Gran Maestro (USA) 14-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 6th, led 4 out, headed before next, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 15, 29 1/2l behind Knocknamona (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Back To Balloo (IRE) 40-1 (12-0) Chased leading pair, pushed along and weakened quickly after 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 10, dist behind Undefined Beauty (12-0) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Pumaflor (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Led, not fluent 2nd, mistake next, soon headed, chased leaders, effort 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Jassas (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Quill Art 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, fell 4th, at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
