mostly jumped well, kept out wide most of way, tracked leader, led 5th until mistake and headed 11th, chased leader, in front again 4 out, clear between last two, stayed on strongly
mistake 1st, held up in last pair, bit closer at 6th, weakened before 4 out
soon in rear, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
raced keenly, led until 5th, chased leader, awkward 10th, led again 11th, headed 4 out, ridden and well held when lost 2nd soon after next, no extra in 3rd
held up in 5th, pecked at 2nd, closer in 4th at 10th, 3rd before 4 out, ridden and weakened before awkward 2 out
tracked leading trio, closer in 3rd at 8th, pushed along after 5 out, went 2nd soon after 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leading pair until jumped slowly at 8th, mistake 10th, soon weakened
Pride Of Lecale took advantage of a drop in grade to win a shade cosily over 2m here last month but has more on his plate today. Shalakar was a useful hurdler but has a very long absence to overcome and Caswell Bay is also making his debut over fences. Longshanks turned in a shocker last time at Exeter but Nikap has won over the larger obstacles with her last two runs coming over timber. Soldier Of Destiny may be capable of better but YGGDRASIL is bred for chasing so it was no surprise to see him off the mark at the first attempt. That Bangor form has yet to be franked but there will be more come from Nick Williams’ five-year-old as he gains experience.
Soldier Of Destiny (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost 3rd after 4 out, no impression and well held 3 out, 5th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Red Rookie (10-12) at Hereford 2m (3) gs in Jan.
Shalakar (FR) 13-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th until 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 14, dist behind Aux Ptits Soins (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Nikap (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened, 5th of 7, 23l behind Kissesforkatie (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Yggdrasil (FR) 11-4fav (10-11) Led, headed 2nd, close up, ridden and every chance 2 out, led next, ran on, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Ashfield Paddy (11-11) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Pride Of Lecale 22-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 4 out, led next, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Shaw's Cross (10-8) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Longshanks (IRE) 2-1jfav (10-4) Held up, mistake 5th, headway to chase leader 5 out, ridden before 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Broken Halo (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Caswell Bay 6-1 (11-11) Led briefly after 1st, chased leader until before 2nd, went 2nd again turning in, ridden bypassing omitted 3 out, stayed on after omitted last, always held, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Lanspark (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
