raced in last pair, struggling 5 out, outpaced in 6th when went right 3 out, no chance with leaders
tracked leaders, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, weakened from next
led, blundered 12th, headed 3 out, ridden and no impression with front pair after next, lost modest 3rd flat
mid-division, tracked leading pair after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, no extra and well held flat
in touch, went 2nd after 5 out, led 3 out, soon ridden, blundered next, pressed before last, stayed on well flat
not fluent, raced in last pair, pulled up before 8th
prominent on outside, driven 9th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 12th
tracked leaders, lost place and reminders after 9th, behind from 11th, pulled up next
with leader, driven and lost place after 5 out, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division, chased leaders after 5 out, outpaced in 4th when mistake 2 out, ridden and stayed on to take modest 3rd flat, no impression with front pair
mid-division, chased leaders on outside after 5 out until next, soon weakened, tailed off
This looks a competitive affair with plenty arriving in decent form. Hey Big Spender won the Listed Rehearsal Chase at Newcastle in November and got back on track in a veterans' handicap at Ascot last time. Beforeall won at Ffos Las earlier this month and Firebird Flyer was successful at Ludlow in February, though both are racing from out of the handicap in this. It was hard not be impressed by BOLD CHIEF at Uttoxeter and he'll be very much at home on this quicker ground, which isn't the case with a few of his rivals. Harry Fry's novice can defy an 8lb higher mark as No Planning has rather gone off the boil and Shotavodka tries a new trip having disappointed when favourite last time. Niceonefrankie and Our Mick are well treated but remains out of sorts.
Cloudy Too (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Prominent, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, behind when mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Lord Windermere (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m 2f chs G1 (1) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Hey Big Spender (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) In touch, headway 2 out, every chance last, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages, won at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Mar beating Time For Rupert (11-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Bold Chief (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Made all, ridden and edged right after 2 out, stayed on well, drew clear flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m (3) gs in Mar beating Knock A Hand (11-8) by 6l, 10 ran.
Shotavodka (IRE) 10-11fav (11-7) Jumped left at times, tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed after 6th, mistake 8th, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace 3 out, no extra from next, 3rd of 4, 14l behind Ohio Gold (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs in Mar.
No Planning 7-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, not fluent and reminders 10th, chased leaders under pressure after 5 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Scotswell (10-5) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Mart Lane (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, blundered and pulled up after 13th (valentines), in a race won by Ma Filleule (11-7) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs, 30 ran.
Our Mick 14-1 (10-10) Led, reminder after 11th, clear before and blundered 14th, headed before last, soon weakened, 6th of 17, 14l behind Duke Of Lucca (10-7) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd.
Niceonefrankie 9-2 (11-6) Chased winner until approaching 7th, chased leaders, driven when hit 4 out and weakened soon after, plugged on flat, 5th of 7, 16l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Beforeall (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Jumped right on occasions, led until before 7th, chased leader, led again 9th until bypasing omitted 3 out, stayed pressing, rallied to lead again last, stayed on gamely flat, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy beating Lamboro Lad (11-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Firebird Flyer (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) In touch on inside, tracked leaders 5 out, challenged between horses 3 out, led approaching last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Feb beating Forgotten Gold (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Kian's Delight 14-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders early, mid-division, weakened from 5 out, 4th of 17, 11l behind Duke Of Lucca (10-7) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd.
