tracked leaders, led 7th, headed 9th, led again 6 out, headed after 5 out, led again 2 out, headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
tracked leader, led 4th, headed 7th, led again 9th, headed 6 out, lead again after 5 out, headed before 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, outpaced after 5 out, in 4th before 4 out, kept on well to chase winner run-in, always well held
held up towards rear, went 3rd from 8th, travelling well when switched left before 3 out, led before last, shaken up run-in, ran on
led, blundered 3rd, soon headed, pushed along and struggling before 10th
in rear, headway before 12th, weakened from 5 out
mid-division, reminders before 10th, weakened from 6 out
towards rear, pushed along before 10th, weakened from next, pulled up before 3 out
Pearlysteps has won this for the last two years and the evergreen 14-year-old ran a fine race on his reappearance at Warwick when only finding one too good. He had Pentiffic five lengths behind that day but the winner was subsequently beaten by a Paul Nicholls’ runner at Bangor and the champion trainer appears to hold all the aces here with WONDERFUL CHARM. A three-times Grade 2 winner under Rules, the nine-year-old looked a smart recruit to the hunter chase ranks at Musselburgh and connections will no doubt be eyeing up big prizes at Cheltenham and Aintree this spring. Bear's Affair will be all the better for his second at Ludlow and is a viable each-way alternative.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 3-1 (12-4) Led to 3rd, tracked winner, ridden 3 out, no chance in clear 2nd from next, 2nd of 13, 13l behind Persian Snow (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f (5) sft in Feb.
Pearlysteps 5-1 (12-6) In touch, outpaced 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Grand Vision (11-12) at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan.
Pentiffic (NZ) 25-1 (12-6) Towards rear, headway and in touch on outer 8th, driven 3 out, no impression next, ridden and ran on well closing stages, not reach leaders, 3rd of 15, 11l behind Grand Vision (11-12) at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan.
Wonderful Charm (FR) 1-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 6th, led before 14th, headed 5 out, led again before 3 out, very easily, unextended, won at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) gd in Feb beating Carlton Ryan (12-4) by 1l, 10 ran.
Damiens Dilemma (IRE) 20-1 (12-1) Held up in touch, joined leader 4th, lost place next, rallied and joined leader again 12th, weakened 5 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Wonderful Charm (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m 3f (3) gd in Feb.
Vincitore (FR) 33-1 (11-2) (tt) jnd ldrs 12; outpcd 15; str run bet last 2; led flat; r.o wl, won at Barbury Racecourse 3m in Jan beating Sacre Toi (12-5) by 1l, 16 ran.
According To Trev (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Chased leader, jumped slowly 3rd, lost 2nd 7th, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Altesse De Guye (10-9) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Kiestown Chief (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Close up, led 6 out, mistake last, soon headed, kept on, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Abbeyview (11-12) at Cartmel 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in May.
