led to 5th, tracked leader, pushed along and weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leader, switched left after 3rd, led 5th, clear before last, very easily
held up in touch, headway 4th, weakened before last
held up in rear, reminders after 5th, tailed off
tracked leaders, chased clear winner before last, no impression
A decent contest for the track and the form may be worth following. Special Mate needs to improve on what he's shown so far but that is perfectly possible while Mitchell's Way went close at Carlisle in April, though is more exposed than the others. Winning pointer The Friary was second on his debut under Rules in a bumper here last month while Get The Papers has also won between the flags. Recent Wetherby second Fourjacks certainly deserves a change of luck but ASHES HOUSE must be given a chance to transfer his smart bumper form to hurdles. He goes well fresh and may be the one to beat today.
Ashes House (IRE) 4-7fav (11-7) Made all, ridden clear 1f out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Dec beating Snapping Turtle (10-7) by 11l, 9 ran.
Fourjacks 2-1 (10-12) Went right 1st, tracked leaders, headway after 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed last, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Dursey Sound (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Get The Papers 6-4 (12-0) Ww, gd prog 3out, 2nd 2out, went on last, impsve, won at Punchestown Points 3m ire ptp hvy in Feb beating Mister Spingsprong (12-0) by 16l, 13 ran.
Special Mate 20-1 (10-11) Never travelled towards rear, ridden along and struggling before 7th, weakened 4 out, behind and pulled up before next, in a race won by Makethe Mostofnow (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar, 12 ran.
The Friary (IRE) 6-4fav (10-8) In touch, went 3rd over 5f out, chased winner over 1f out, kept on and held by winner, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Claiming Benefits (10-13) at Hexham 2m cond NH flat (6) hvy in Oct.
Mitchell's Way 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, no impression from next, 6th of 9, 16l behind Acordingtoscript (9-13) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.