tracked leaders, led 5th, pressed 2 out, pushed along before last where headed, kept on run-in
led, hit 2nd, prominent, headed before 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up, headway after 6th, headway to dispute 2nd 2 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, going well enough when stumbled and unseated rider 3 out
held up, headway after 4 out, ridden and headway into 2nd after 2 out, led after last, kept on well
in rear, shaken up at 6th, badly hampered 3 out, tailed off but kept on into modest 4th
NonRunner
NonRunner
Novice chase winner Our Merlin reverts to hurdling on his reappearance while Neff easily beat subsequent winner Cogital over track and trip last year having earlier fallen victim to Adicci. But BASHFUL BOY won a novice hurdle over course and distance in September and, given both placed horses have won since, Suzi Best’s charge is taken to make a bold bid now handicapping. Hier Encore placed over a longer trip here recently but is upped in class today.
Tap Tap Boom 50-1 (11-12) Held up, progress after 7th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Any Drama (12-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Our Merlin 100-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, some headway 8th, lost place 9th, hampered next, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Mar.
Neff (GER) 11-2 (11-12) Never travelled or jumped with any fluency towards rear, behind and struggling after 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, 37 1/4l behind Tomorrow Mystery (11-6) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
River Bray (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Prominent and keen, close up when ridden after 3 out, one pace, 5th of 8, 19l behind Dear Sire (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Adicci (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 11th of 18, 19 1/4l behind Mcfabulous (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Mar.
Hier Encore (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, pushed along and progress 3 out, disputed 2nd before mistake last, kept on towards finish, held by winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Good News (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Bashful Boy (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Made all, jumped left at times, edged right flat, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in Sep beating Who What When (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Cogital 6-1 (8-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along and progress 3f out, ridden and weakened before 1f out, 6th of 10, 4 3/4l behind C'Est No Mour (10-0) at Bath 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Shut The Box (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 15l behind Vorashann (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
