mid-division, not fluent 6th, pushed along 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression, one pace and dropped to 4th flat
held up in rear, mistake 2nd (water), not fluent 9th, mistake 4 out, modest 5th 2 out, no chance
always handy, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out
mid-division, lost place 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd flat, gaining towards finish
towards rear, headway 6th, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened quickly
prominent, mistake 3rd, jumped left and not fluent next, led before 5th, headed 10th, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
led, hit 5th, headed before next, led 10th, headed 3 out, soon led again, headed last, held towards finish
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Gustav just beat Fact Flow at Leicester and there shouldn’t be much between the pair again. Fitted with a tongue-tie, Happy News made a winning reappearance at Ludlow and is having only her third run over fences. Both of TORRENT DES MOTTES’ victories have come on this track and he was beaten far last time at Leicester so another big run is anticipated. Mackie Dee made a winning start over fences over course and distance so rates a danger but Lord Sparky was beaten a long way when last of two finishers at Leicester.
Happy News 18-1 (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 8th, left in lead 4 out, driven and clear 2 out, eased down flat, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Caspers Court (12-2) by 4 1/4l, 12 ran.
Celma Des Bois (FR) 12-1 (11-11) Raced keenly and jumped right throughout, soon chasing winner, lost 2nd 6th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out,, last of 5, 28 1/4l behind Desque De L'Isle (12-2) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Lord Sparky 10-1 (11-3) Midfield, headway to chase leader 5th, close up 10th, led after 12th, ridden approaching 3 out, joined 2 out, headed before last, weakened, 2nd of 13, 28l behind Agent Valdez (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Fact Flow (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, every chance after 2 out when disputing second, disputing lead last where not fluent, held final 110 yards, 2nd of 14, nk behind Gustav (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Torrent Des Mottes (FR) 12-1 (10-1) Held up towards rear, ridden in rear before 3 out (usual 4 out), headway into midfield 2 out, stayed on to chase leaders last, stayed on flat, lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Go As You Please (11-6) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Gustav (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) In touch, headway before 3 out, joined leader after 2 out, disputing lead last, all out final 110 yards, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Fact Flow (11-1) by nk, 14 ran.
Midnight Owle 33-1 (10-11) Prominent on outside, ridden before 4 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Gustav (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Mackie Dee (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Close up in rear when hampered 1st, close up 4th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Franz Klammer (10-0) by 8l, 6 ran.
Sands Cove (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Coopers Square (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) gs in Feb.
Amethea (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Towards rear, mistake 7th, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Rose Of Aghaboe (12-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Into The Woods (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Soon towards rear, in rear and pushed along approaching 8th, behind from 3 out, left poor 4th at last, 4th of 7, dist behind Court Jurado (11-10) at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.