soon racing in 4th on inside, went 3rd on inside home turn, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading duo
raced keenly in close 3rd on inside, went 2nd after 7th, screwed left 4 out and rider lost iron briefly, led turning in, soon ridden and went clear, kept on well and always doing enough run-in
raced out wide in 5th, dropped to rear at 7th, outpaced and struggling 9th, soon behind, tailed off
held up in rear, gained a place at 7th, badly outpaced 3 out, plugged on in modest 4th run-in
tracked leader, led briefly 5th, lost 2nd after 7th, pushed along in 3rd before 2 out, dropped to 4th home turn, weakened into 5th run-in
led, mistake 2nd, awkward and headed briefly 5th, headed turning in, brief rally on inside run-in, always held
NonRunner
All three of Malpas’ victories over hurdles came at Carlisle but this is also a stiff track. Paddy The Horse is also interesting having won a maiden hurdle here last month but Ritson is 0-12, though a switch to fences may see him in a better light. Twoshotsoftequila was a long way behind when CAPTAIN QUINT scored over timber here just under a year ago. The latter ran only once more after that but should come into his own in chases this season. Feivel is another course winner likely to make his presence felt if fully primed.
Feivel (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Led, clear 6th, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and headed flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Shantou Express (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Captain Quint (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Close up, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Crystal Glory (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) gs in Dec.
Malpas (IRE) Evensfav (11-10) Tracked leader, joined leader 2 out, led approaching last when bad mistake and lost momentum, ridden out, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Snowy Clouds (11-0) by 3l, 3 ran.
Twoshotsoftequila (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Raced wide in touch in rear, good headway to track leaders 3 out, pushed along next, weakened approaching last when not fluent, 5th of 6, 27l behind Sheriff Garrett (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Ritson (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Led, ridden and headed narrowly 2 out, every chance last when not fluent, kept on flat but could not match pace of winner, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Cliffs Of Dooneen (10-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
North Parade (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Led, hung right on bend before 5th, hit 8th, pushed along and faced challenge 2 out, headed approaching last, ridden and weakened flat, 6th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Heritier (11-11) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Glentruan (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, mistake and well beaten 3 out, mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Paddy The Horse (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Raced wide, close up, went 2nd 5th, led bend before straight, ridden last, driven all out, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Snipe (11-4) by nk, 10 ran.
