took keen hold early stages, led until ran wide on paddock bend after next, stayed close 2nd until bumped and led again 4th, driven and stayed on gamely flat
held up, ridden and struggling after 4th, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 1st, ridden and struggling 3rd, soon behind, tailed off
tracked leader until after 2nd, raced in 3rd after, mistake 4th, ridden to chase winner approaching last, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden after 4th, well outpaced by leaders before last
held up in touch, jumped right 1st, led on paddocek bend after 2nd, jumped right, bumped and headed 4th, 3rd and beaten when again jumped right last, no extra
mid-division on outside, ridden and outpaced before 4th, plugged on from last, no chance
held up in touch, bad mistake 4th, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up in rear, remote 5th well before last, no chance, soon lost further touch
HIGHLAND LODGE opened his account over hurdles at the first time of asking at Exeter last month. That form stands out in this company and Emma Lavelle's charge can defy a penalty and go in again. Bumper winner Diocles makes his hurdling bow after a decent comeback run at this track, but Grove Pride looks a bigger threat as he's finished second in both starts over timber so far and should be winning soon. Dreamers Of Dreams also showed promise when third at Carlisle recently, but 2009 Grand National hero Mon Mome looks to be having a prep-race for the Welsh National at the end of the month.
Highland Lodge (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Trafalgar (10-12) by 10l, 13 ran.
An Capall Mor (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 8th of 14, 41l behind Aland Islands (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Diocles (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Raced keenly, prominent, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon hard pressed, kept on until headed and no extra final 75 yards, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Benign Dictator (11-0) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) gs in Nov.
Dreamers Of Dreams (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leader, mistake 6th, challenged and hit 3 out, chased winner and every chance 2 out, weakened to 3rd before last, 3rd of 12, 9l behind See What Happens (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Grove Pride 15-8 (10-7) Jumped badly right throughout, tracked leader, led 4 out, headed next, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Sydney Paget (10-12) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Mon Mome (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division on inside, 9th and under pressure when fell 26th, in a race won by Don't Push It (11-5) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '10, 40 ran.
Pampanito 8-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 5th, hampered when left in 2nd 3 out, under pressure approaching last, faded flat, lost 2nd close home, remote 3rd, 3rd of 8, 50l behind Peckhamecho (10-13) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Sixty Something (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Behind, mistake 5th, tailed off before 7th, plugged on before 2 out, never in contention, 9th of 17, 26l behind So Fine (11-5) at Warwick 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
