made most, joined by winner 12th, drew clear of rest 14th, headed 4 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd near finish
held up in touch, not fluent 11th, joined leader next, led 4 out, drew well clear from next, eased right down flat
tracked leaders, outpaced 14th, soon lost touch, went remote 3rd after 4 out, stayed on to press for 2nd, near finish, no chance with winner
held up and behind when blundered and unseated rider 3rd
disputed lead until lost place 12th, soon ridden and outpaced by leading pair, lost remote 3rd after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, reminders 6th, struggling to stay in touch 9th, behind when pulled up before 12th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Given the form of the yard it would be foolish to write off The Hollow Bottom, who is now well handicapped after some poor recent form, but preference is for HIMALAYAN TRAIL. Sue Smith's veteran races from a mark below his two most recent wins, which admittedly came two years ago. He showed signs of a return to his old self at Huntingdon last time out and trip and ground suit him, so we will take him to score. Morning Moment won a Leicester maiden chase on fast ground in December and saves his best for a sound surface. He stays this far and is very much short list material. Last year's winner Shrewd Investor is back on the same mark as that success, which was also achieved on good going. Harry Hogarth's 10-year-old has a bit to prove now after a couple of failures to complete and is taken on today. Wizards Dust has little racing weight and is just 1lb above a soft ground Ludlow win from earlier in the campaign. With the yard going well he is much respected, but we will side with Himalayan Trail.
Dark Ben (FR) 15-8fav (11-7) Led until rider lost irons briefly 3rd, dropped rear 6th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Pelo Du Bief (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Himalayan Trail 20-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th or 10th, chased winner before next, hit 3 out, blundered 2 out, lost 2nd after hitting last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Noakarad De Verzee (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent 8th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by The Shy Man (11-4) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Aces Or Better (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Led to 2nd, led 3rd, jumped left 6th,7th and again when bumped 8th, headed before next, weakened 14th, 4th of 7, well behind Its A Classic (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Runshan (IRE) 5-1fav (11-11) Jumped left, led until 3rd, led 5th until 4 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out, 9th of 15, 44l behind Cesium (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Wizards Dust 4-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, chasing leaders when hampered 6th, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 8, 39l behind Nelliedonethat (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
The Hollow Bottom 9-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, headway approaching 8th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure 12th, soon weakened, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Soixante (11-10) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Starburst Diamond (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Soon in touch, hit 6th, reminder after 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 9, 31l behind Plum Pudding (10-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Morning Moment 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec beating Cloud Nine (11-2) by 4l, 9 ran.
Alfadora 9-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 12th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 14l behind Go West (11-9) at Warwick 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
