in touch, pulled hard, went prominent 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
pressed leader, led 5th to 3 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, shaken up after 2 out, weakened approaching last
led, reminder after 4th, headed next, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, squeezed along after 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, soon ridden, no impression
mid-division, mistake 2nd, weakened 5th, tailed off
badly hampered 1st, mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off 5th
mid-division, headway when mistake 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
always prominent, led 3 out, hit 2 out, clear approaching last, pushed out, comfortably
held up in rear, pulled hard, always behind
held up towards rear, hit 3 out, some headway before 2 out, soon weakened
jumped badly right 1st, tailed off when mistake 3rd, pulled up before 5th
in touch, pulled hard, not fluent 5th, blundered 3 out, soon beaten
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Another poor contest where CHORD may be capable of hitting a winning note, while Oddshoes and Calaficial are also considered. The Donald McCain-trained selection will be pleased to find this maiden hurdle a sight easier than the novices' hurdles that he has contested. True enough, he does not look an easy ride, but trip and ground look ideal here and he should have too much ability for this lot. Oddshoes was down the field in the Imperial Cup last time, but prior to that he ran a nice race in defeat at Wincanton. He clearly has the ability to get heavily involved, although he would prefer cut in the ground. Calaficial won two of his four bumpers and was not knocked about when beaten here last time on his hurdling bow. There is plenty of improvement still to come from the gelding and he should be suited by this sound surface. Ffos Las Diamond is an interesting contender trained by Nicky Henderson and he showed some ability in bumpers without winning. He is likely to know his job pretty well for this first run over timber and should show improvement. John Cabot is expected to come on for his debut run but in a race where little else appeals Chord can call the tune.
Ana Buachaill Dana 150-1 (11-3) Held up and keen, headway after 4th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 14, 34l behind Bella Haze (10-3) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Bon Viveur 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, struggling when hit 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Et Maintenant (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in May, 10 ran.
Calaficial (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, jumped right first, not fluent 2nd, hampered 4th, headway 6th, weakened after 2 out, soon eased, 8th of 15, 27l behind Pickamus (11-2) at Hereford 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Chord 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden after 4 out, headed next, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 14l behind Red Moloney (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Ffos Las Diamond (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In touch and keen, ridden 3f out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 16l behind Alfie Sherrin (11-2) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Forever Buck 33-1 (11-4) In touch, ran green and weakened 3f out, 6th of 15, 25l behind Giordano Bruno (11-4) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Feb.
Layed Back Rocky 200-1 (11-1) In rear, in mid-division when blundered and pulled up 3 out in race won by Sparkling Montjeu (10-0) at Catterick 2m sll hdl (5) gd, 16 ran.
Mtoto's Prince 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, weakening after 3 out, slightly hampered 2 out, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Ready To Crown (10-5) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
Oddshoes (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Always rear, 13th of 19, 39l behind Dave's Dream (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Players Please (USA) 6-1 (9-5) Chased leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed 1f out, edged right and slightly bumped, ran on, 2nd of 11, nk behind The Last Drop (9-1) at Newmarket 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Oct (Flat).
Semi Detached (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Behind from 4th, 7th of 14, 32l behind Jeepstar (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Dawn Street 200-1 (10-10) Jumped badly right, chased leader approaching 2nd, led 3rd, hung badly right, jumped right and headed after 6th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Outlaw Tom (11-3) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs, 11 ran.
Segal (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up and keen, weakened after 4 out, 8th of 10, well behind Pemberton (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Tigger 40-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next, 6th of 10, 25l behind Summery Justice (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
John Cabot 14-1 (10-12) Ridden 4f out, always towards rear, 10th of 15, 37l behind Mail de Bievre (10-9) at Exeter 1m 5f nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Simplyirresistible (IRE) 250-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Charmaine Wood (11-7) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
