prominent, led 2nd, soon headed, led 6th, headed 3 out, no extra before last
led until 1st, led after next, headed 6th, lost place after 4 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, headway from 3 out, kept on flat, not clear run and switched left close home
in rear, pushed along 4 out, ran on flat, nearest finish
in rear, struggling 8th, well behind 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent until 2nd, tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, never back on terms, hanging left flat
not fluent, always in rear
mid-division on inside, closed 4 out, led 3 out, slowed into last, stayed on, ridden out
held up towards rear on outside, closed 4th, lost place after next, closed 7th, lost place 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, mistake last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway after 5th, lost place from 3 out
held up on inside, closed 7th, challenging when not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, lost 2nd 3 out, kept on
led 1st until 2nd, stayed handy, challenged 3 out, no impression on winner towards finish, no extra close home
A typically-competitive Pertemps qualifier with the weights headed by 2017 Gold Cup runner-up Minella Rocco, though he’s not run over hurdles in four years. Buckhorn Timothy has won his last four over hurdles but is returning from a short break along with Robin Waters, Boyhood and For Good Measure. Dragon D'Estruval has been well backed the last twice in handicaps at Newbury but is looking a little one-paced and Nicky Henderson also runs Thomas Campbell, who has been chasing but may be happier back over timber. Flemcara looks to be running into form but Bailarico never figured last time at Doncaster, though is making his handicap debut. CULTURE DE SIVOLA is a tough mare who has come on in leaps and bounds. Lizzie Kelly will try and creep her into contention around here and she could be a bit of value.
Minella Rocco (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outside, closed 11th, outpaced 16th, well beaten from 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Frodon (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f (1) gs in Jan.
Thomas Campbell 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from 2 out, kept on and went 4th flat, 4th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Midnight Shadow (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) gs in Jan.
Boyhood (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, outpaced on outside before 3 out, driven stayed on to get better of duel for modest 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 10, 9l behind First Assignment (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Culture De Sivola (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Ran in snatches, held up in rear and pushed along at times, pushed along on outside chasing leaders after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Magic Of Light (11-0) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Jan.
Robin Waters (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Tracked winner, hit 1st, mistakes 4th and 9th, not fluent 15th, soon ridden, not fluent 4 out, no chance from next, eased, last of 2, dist behind Minella Awards (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f (3) gd in Nov.
Buckhorn Timothy 16-1 (12-2) In touch, hit 3rd, went 2nd after next, led before 2 out, mistake last, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Quiz Master (11-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
Bailarico (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Raced on inside, tracked leading trio and ran in snatches, mistake 6th, gained a place 4 out, disputing well held 2nd when pecked last, weakened and lost that placing towards finish, last of 4, 24 1/4l behind Nadaitak (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (1) gd in Jan.
Flemcara (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden in 2nd before 2 out until 2 out, chased leading pair until the last, plugged on again into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 16, 10 1/4l behind Lord Napier (10-8) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Feb.
Divin Bere (FR) 6-1cfav (11-11) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 14, 34 3/4l behind Erick Le Rouge (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
For Good Measure (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up, always in rear, struggling 15th, tailed off, 6th of 11, dist behind The Young Master (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Dragon D'Estruval (FR) 5-2fav (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, ridden between last 2, lost 2nd and no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind I'm A Game Changer (11-6) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Lord Of The Island (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened, 11th of 14, dist behind Erick Le Rouge (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Poker Play (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Prominent, lost place and reminders after 5th, not fluent 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
