tracked leader, led 2nd, headed before 6th, lost place 7th, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd before 5th, ridden before last, no impression
in rear in 4th, went remote 3rd before last, never dangerous
led, headed 2nd, tracked leader, led again before 6th, clear before 3 out, easily
No excuses were forthcoming after Well Green's poor run over C&D earlier this month and doubts remain about his effectiveness on heavy going. RATHNAROUGHY appears to have got his confidence back and, though 8lb higher than when winning a novices' handicap at Stratford, has the size to make light of his welter burden here and double his tally under Rules. Stand Clear returns from a lay-off while Leac An Scail is better over fences but Flying Doctor runs his best races around here and will have needed his recent comeback at Cartmel.
Rathnaroughy (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, hard ridden approaching 2 out, not fluent last, all out, just held on, won at Stratford 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd beating Mudita Moment (11-9) by hd, 11 ran.
Well Green (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 5, 25l behind Wheyaye (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy.
Stand Clear 7-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, awkward 1st, headway 3 out, 4th and beaten when not fluent last, 4th of 10, 14l behind Zefooha (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-120) (3yo+) (4) gs in Dec.
Leac An Scail (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, pushed along after 6th, well behind 9th, 8th of 13, well behind Mexican Bob (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Flying Doctor 5-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 7th, well beaten before 8th, tailed off approaching 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Scotswell (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd, 7 ran.
