led, pushed clear over 3f out, ridden and 8 lengths ahead 2f out, reduced lead inside final furlong, headed and weakened final 50 yards
tracked leader, pushed along and lost 2nd over 3f out, weakened into 4th inside final 3f
held up in 6th, closer 10f out, 3rd 7f out until pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
held up in last pair, closer in 3rd in 3rd inside final 3f, plenty to do 2f out, ridden went 2nd inside final 150 yards and closed, led final 50 yards, won going away
raced wide in 5th, dropped to last trio 10f out, pushed along and outpaced 6f out, tailed off
chased leaders, 2nd on inside well over 3f out, ridden and no impression when hung left over 1f out, lost 2nd inside final 150 yards, plugged on
raced keenly, chased leaders, slightly lost place 7f out, pushed along and outpaced 4f out, plugged on
always in rear, outpaced and struggling 6f out, tailed off
Diamond Guy won a bumper as recently as April last year but hasn’t raced since only fourth on his debut over hurdles in October, though that is unlikely to be an issue. Former pointer Mcgroarty had the speed to win a bumper and two hurdle races last year on good or good to firm ground but this will be his first run since September. PEGGIES VENTURE (NAP) has won two bumpers on Polytrack at Lingfield. She’s been a bit unlucky over hurdles so far so maybe her fortune will change with no obstacles to negotiate today. Onefortheroadtom beat the well-regarded Lalor on his hurdling debut and was last seen in Listed company at Cheltenham so can’t be ignored.
Diamond Guy (FR) 13-8 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 15, 16 3/4l behind Smaoineamh Alainn (10-11) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Flemenskill (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Raced wide, chased winner, not fluent 4th, pushed along before 9th, no impression when lost 2nd 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 4, 15l behind My Dance (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Mcgroarty (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Prominent, chased clear leader (winner) after 3 out until next, edged left and no extra, 7th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Golden Birthday (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Onefortheroadtom 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, 5th and no impression before last, no extra, 5th of 8, 15 1/4l behind Tikkanbar (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Huntress (IRE) 80-1 (10-10) Prominent, dived left and barged into rival 1st, soon in rear, well beaten before 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Canelo (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Peggies Venture 5-1 (11-7) In touch in mid-division, closed when hampered before 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, hit last, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Manny Owens (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Scented Lily (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Spice Girl (10-12) at Towcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Starlette Winker Watson M out of Imaginemysurprise.
