mid-division, headway to chase leaders 5th, led next, ridden 2 out, kept on well under pressure
behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on to go 2nd before 2 out, never able to challenge
mid-division, headway 5 out, soon weakened
in rear, weakened before 4 out, soon tailed off
led until 5th, weakened next, behind when brought down 3 out
prominent, under pressure 4 out, fell next
in touch, slow 2nd, headway when hampered 3 out, chased leaders next, soon no impression
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, soon weakened, modest 4th
Lord Grantham was clear of the remainder when just failing to hold off One Lucky Lady in a handicap at Uttoxeter three weeks ago. But he has a penalty to carry here and Richard Johnson, his jockey that day, switches to Groomed who has been chasing but was third in a decent race at Wetherby on Boxing Day when last seen over timber. THIRD OF THE THIRD won a bumper in the autumn and seems to be making progress over hurdles judged on his latest course and distance third. He is just preferred today as Waterford Star may need a longer trip judged on his form on the Flat and debutant Commitment is probably best watched.
Lord Grantham (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 6th, went 2nd next, led 3 out, hit last and headed, unable to quicken and held flat, 2nd of 12, 1 3/4l behind One Lucky Lady (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Groomed (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, went 4th before last, one pace, 4th of 8, 13l behind Tahiti Pearl (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Louis Phillipe (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, well behind Fergall (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (4) gf.
Mighty Clarets (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 16, well behind Azure Aware (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
More Glory (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, weakened from before 10th, 5th of 8, well behind I'm The Article (10-11) at Taunton 3m Amateur Maiden Hurdle (5yo+) (5) gf.
Third Of The Third 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, soon chased winner, ridden and every chance between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression in clear 3rd flat, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Azure Aware (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Waterford Star (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Towards rear, reminder 2nd, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 10, well behind Duke Of Monmouth (10-5) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Commitment 14-1 (9-2) Held up towards rear, never involved, 13th of 16, 16l behind Take Two (8-12) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gs in Apr (flat).
