led until narrowly headed 2nd, chased winner, led again after 4 out, ridden and joined when veered left approaching 2 out, asserted after last, ridden when veered badly left and unseated rider inside final 150 yards
never that fluent, took keen hold, held up in 5th, headway approaching 6th, driven and no impression in 4th when hung left before 2 out, left distant 3rd last
chased leading trio, outpaced after 4th, weakened quickly 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well after 4 out, challenged from 2 out, ridden and edged left before the last, every chance last, soon held, left in clear lead inside final 150 yards
well behind, pushed along and struggling when hit 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off when blundered 2 out, fell heavily last
chased leader, led narrowly 2nd until after 4 out, weakened quickly, soon behind, tailed off
held up in last pair, steady headway tracking leaders in 4th before 4 out, modest 3rd on long run before 3 out, hit 2 out, hung left after, left distant 2nd run-in
BOB MAHLER has already displayed a decent level of form over timber and this looks a good deal easier than recent tests. Warren Greatrex’ charge won’t be much of a price but should open his account unless hurdling newcomers Pull The Trigger and Swift Crusader, successful in a maiden between the flags in December, are above average. There is very little to recommend the remainder on what they’ve shown so far.
Bob Mahler (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division on outer, ridden and outpaced well before 3 out, soon headway to chase leaders, led before and went left last and headed, kept on run-in, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Western Climate (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) hvy in Feb.
Gask Ridge (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, well beaten after 5th, 9th of 12, dist behind Beyond Conceit (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Pull The Trigger 13-2 (11-2) Held up in 3rd, last 11f out, behind final 6f, last of 4, dist behind Deise Diamond (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f (6) gf in Aug.
Swift Crusador 2-1 (12-1) Pr, 3rd 1/2way, rdn in 2l 2nd appr str, jnd ldr & wo 2out, 1l adv last, ko best to line, won at Borris House 3m mdn gs in Dec beating Mount Hanover (12-1) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Jaunty Clementine 200-1 (10-10) Behind, ridden and headway after 4 out, chased clear leaders when hampered 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 5th of 15, 32l behind Shantou Rock (11-3) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Feb.
Strangsmill (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) In rear, weakened from 5th, soon detached, pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
We'll Be There 100-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 7, dist behind Hitherjacques Lady (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) hvy in Feb.
Hogan's Height (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tr ldrs, 4th 1/2way, moderate 3rd str, ko without threatening last, 3rd of 0, dist behind Uncle Alastair (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
