in touch in 5th, ridden before last, one pace
held up in touch in 4th, ridden and 3rd from last, kept on same pace
led, headed 4 out, tracked winner, lost place from 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, soon tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
tracked leader, hit 3rd, led 4 out, held on well, ridden out
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, chased winner from last, kept on and held towards finish
held up towards rear, ridden before last, soon weakened
in rear, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened
It takes a decent performer to deny a penalty in a bumper but CLOUDY DREAM (NAP) managed it at Carlisle last month with the minimum of fuss. Malcolm Jefferson has high hopes for the son of Cloudings over hurdles and he's been found a decent opportunity to get the ball rolling here. Last month's Southwell second Marquis Of Carabas and Nuts Well, runner-up over course and distance on his latest start, looks the best of those with previous hurdling experience and set the standard as Fifteen Kings was on the retreat when falling at Ayr.
Away For Slates (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Calivigny (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Oct.
Cloudy Dream (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) In rear, headway over 5f out, went 2nd over 2f out, led over 1f out, ridden and kept on well towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (6) gd in Oct beating Groundunderrepair (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Dibble Bridge 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Vancouverite (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gd in Oct.
Dimple (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 9, dist behind Captain Chaos (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Fifteen Kings (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Led to 4 out, soon ridden, weakening in 6th when fell 3 out, at Ayr 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Fire Rock (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Imada (10-12) at Ayr 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Marquis Of Carabas (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, soon switched left, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Political Quiz (10-12) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Nuts Well 15-8fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, went 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 9l behind Quick Brew (11-0) at Hexham 2m mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of Rossavon.
Lucarno Dancer 66-1 (10-5) Always behind, 10th of 11, dist behind Captain Hox (11-5) at Hexham 2m (4) gd in Apr.
The Toft 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 13, 36 3/4l behind Mardale (10-10) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Wayward Jack 11-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway over 5f out, weakened over 4f out, 6th of 7, dist behind Huehuecoytle (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Mar.