close up, ridden 3 out, chased clear winner next, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
keen early, made all, clear 2 out, comfortable
in rear, ridden 3 out, tailed off
in rear, not fluent 2nd, some headway 2 out, never on terms
close up, not fluent and lost place 5th, weakened next, tailed off
keen tracked winner until ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
in rear, ridden 3 out, never nearer
Jimmy The Digger landed the odds in a bumper at Ludlow in December in decisive fashion and the half-brother to a winner over hurdles makes his debut over timber. But FERROBIN has undergone wind surgery since runner-up over track and trip to Brecon Hill, who has subsequently won again, on his hurdling bow and Dan Skelton’s charge won’t need to improve much to open his account in this. Sammy Bill ran well for a long way at Exeter on his first outing over hurdles and could get involved but it’s difficult to make a case for any of the remainder.
Arthur's Sixpence 50-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up after 7th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Dreyfus (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, never on terms, 8th of 9, dist behind Pym (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gs in Jan.
Ferrobin (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Held up, in touch 3rd, closed on leaders 3 out, chased winner and every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Brecon Hill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Gold Fields 14-1 (11-2) In rear, some headway 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Garrettstown (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
Lord Sparky Sulamani gelding out of Braybrooke Lady.
Middlescence (IRE) 20-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 7th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Global Wonder (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Sammy Bill 5-1 (11-4) Keen in mid-division, headway on outside and mistake 2nd, chased leaders 5 out, effort 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 16, 17 1/2l behind Chambard (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Sirobbie (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, towards rear and struggling before 4 out, tailed off, 14th of 18, dist behind Champagne Court (10-12) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Jimmy The Digger 10-11fav (11-0) With leader, led 3f out, clear over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 1m 6f (4) sft in Dec beating Finnick Glory (10-7) by 6l, 9 ran.