with leader, chased winner before 2 out and every chance, kept on and always held from last
mid-division, headway before 6 out, led before 3 out, pressed from 2 out, kept on well from last
always towards rear, pulled up
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway before 6 out, one pace from 3 out
behind, struggling from 5th, pulled up
always behind, pulled up
This is arguably the most competitive race on the card. The weights are headed by Donna's Diamond, last seen in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham. His defeat of Agrapart at Haydock earlier is very good form but four of his rivals won last time, including stablemates Takingrisks and Western Rules. The former hasn’t run over hurdles for two years but won off a higher mark over fences at Ayr recently. The latter has gone up 4lb since his win at Ayr and the cheekpieces would need to work a second time. Wetherby scorer Eminent Poet lacks consistency and is 2lb higher than when only third last year but Kris Spin is a thorough stayer who handles the mud whereas Arthurs Secret needs a quicker surface. TOTAL ASSETS reversed earlier form here with Landecker last time. Amie Waugh again takes off a handy 7lb and her mount may be some value to record a fifth course victory. Lastbutnotleast has been chasing but boasted smart novice form over hurdles around this time last year and shouldn’t be ignored.
Donna's Diamond (IRE) 66-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, every chance on last bend, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 18l behind Penhill (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Kris Spin (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) In touch, went 2nd before 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Oh Land Abloom (11-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Eminent Poet 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 3 out, pressed 2 out, held on well towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (2) hvy in Mar beating Warthog (11-4) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Lastbutnotleast (IRE) 8-11fav (11-0) Led until 2nd, tracked leader, pushed along and not travelling from 5th, lost 2nd 10th, getting behind from 12th, well beaten from 4 out, last of 3, 35 1/2l behind Got Away (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f lst (1) sft in Jan.
Takingrisks (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Towards rear, went 3rd from 6 out, headway 4 out to chase leader, kept on to lead towards finish, finished tired, won at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Indy Five (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 6 ran.
Western Rules (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-12) Towards rear and in touch, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before last to challenge, led narrowly last 75 yards, just held on post, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Dedigout (11-10) by shd, 6 ran.
Arthurs Secret 7-2 (11-6) Keen in touch, headway chasing leaders 6th, every chance 3 out, still every chance when hung right and hit 2 out, switched right approaching last where left 2nd, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Blunder Buss (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Landecker (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Behind and outpaced, plugged on over 3f out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 29 3/4l behind Mac N Cheese (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Letemgo (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Towards rear, hampered and unseated rider 7th, at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Total Assets 9-1 (11-8) Led, ridden over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Mac N Cheese (11-6) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
