keen in touch in rear, ridden 3 out, outpaced next, driven and kept on towards finish
led, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on one pace
keen early in touch in 4th, smooth headway to join leader 2 out, led last, shaken up flat, readily
not fluent tracked leader until 4 out, weakened next, eased flat, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out until ridden approaching last, kept on one pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Welsh Shadow is the only one not penalised as the bumper winner could only manage second at Exeter on his hurdling bow. He will have improved for that experience but FRANCIS OF ASSISI (NAP) may prove too strong on this occasion. The latter is clear of the rest at the weights having seen his winning run come to an end behind the higher rated and more experienced Irving in the Elite Hurdle at Wincanton but John Feguson's charge can resume winning ways in this. Marracudja is progressing well with his winning form at Wincanton looking stronger than Altruism's double at Cartmel while Viens Chercher was well beaten in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last week. Mardale beat subsequent winner Lady Yeats at Hexham but both look up against it in this company.
Altruism (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up mid-division and keen, tracked leaders after 3rd, led before 2 out, ridden run-in, ran on strongly, won at Cartmel 2m 1f (4) gs in Aug beating Scrafton (11-1) by 12l, 8 ran.
Viens Chercher (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Hampered when left in lead soon after start, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, weakened last, 4th of 5, 14 1/2l behind Altior (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Welsh Shadow (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) In touch, 7th after 2nd, challenging when in view 3 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Yanworth (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Lady Yeats 10-1 (10-5) Made all, set slow pace until after 3rd, hard pressed from 2 out, better jump than rival last, just held on, won at Bangor 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct beating Dashing Oscar (10-12) by shd, 10 ran.
Mardale (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd from last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Oct beating Smart Talk (10-10) by 4l, 13 ran.
Marracudja (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) Raced keenly, made all, clear after 4th until before 2 out, pushed clear again between last two, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) sft in Nov beating Flamenco Lad (10-12) by 9l, 8 ran.
Francis Of Assisi (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio, hit 5th, plugged on into modest 4th run-in, no impression, 4th of 8, 8 1/2l behind Irving (11-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
