mid-division, ridden to chase leaders before 3 out, never on terms, weakened between last 2, tailed off
tracked leaders, effort 2 out, every chance when carried left briefly after last, no extra in 4th flat
mid-division, weakened after 4 out, pulled up approaching next
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden after next, led narrowly last, edged left and kept on flat, held on near finish
always towards rear, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
always in rear, lost touch 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
keen early, held up mid-division, driven after 4 out, never near leaders, weakened 2 out, tailed off
behind, ridden before 3 out, never a threat, weakened from next, tailed off
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, rallied last, kept on and every chance when hung badly left after last, held near finish
jumped left, led hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed narrowly last, kept on under pressure flat, held near finish
mid-division, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders to after 3rd, soon behind, tailed off 4 out
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off
Blu Cavalier has clearly been difficult to train but ran well behind a smart novice here in October, though has had another break since and is unproven on ground this soft. Golden Sunrise was behind in the autumn but has improved since and didn’t stay 3m last time at Taunton. Colin Tizzard also runs winner pointer Mount Rushmoore, who is sure to strip fitter for his third in a Chepstow bumper, but SAMBURU SHUJAA is preferred. He was finishing best of all when just behind a subsequent winner at Taunton on his hurdling debut and this stiffer test will suit.
Alminar (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 9f out, lost place 5f out, soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Smith's Bay (11-5) at Taunton 2m (5) sft in Jan.
Blu Cavalier 4-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 7th, went 2nd before the last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 8l behind If The Cap Fits (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Drama King (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent 3rd, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten before next, last of 6, 29l behind Dan Mcgrue (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Golden Sunrise (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, hit 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, 4th of 13, 20 1/4l behind Applesolutely (10-7) at Taunton 3m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Igougo (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, driven and lost place over 4f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Don Des Fosses (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Indigo Stamp 200-1 (11-0) Towards rear and keen, weakened over 5f out, 8th of 10, dist behind Dramatic Pause (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Lapford Lad 100-1 (11-4) Not fluent and soon well behind, tailed off before 6th, pulled up after, at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Menapian (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Towards rear, 6th and no chance when fell 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f (4) gd in Oct.
Mount Rushmoore (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until hung left 4f out, soon outpaced, stayed on from over 1f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Good Boy Bobby (11-7) at Chepstow 2m (5) hvy in Jan.
Samburu Shujaa (FR) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, rallied 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Darcy Ward (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Tango du Roy (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Always in rear, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, 34 3/4l behind The New Pharaoh (11-5) at Leicester 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Willie Mclovin 150-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, struggling from 3rd, well beaten 3 out, 6th of 12, dist behind Jurby (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Jan.
Hally's Kitchen 200-1 (10-11) Led until over 2f out, soon lost 2nd, chased leaders, weakened well over 1f out, 9th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Morning Vicar (11-4) at Newbury 2m (5) sft in Jan.
Farmer Boy (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Not fluent, held up in rear, jumped right 1st, ridden after 3 out, well beaten before 2 out, went 4th after last, 4th of 6, 21 3/4l behind Dan Mcgrue (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
