led until after 2nd, pressed leader, led again 4th, headed on long run to 2 out, soon driven and looked held, rallied as winner idled 2 out, ridden between last 2, chance when hit last, weakened flat, lost 2nd close home
took keen hold tracking leading trio on inside, not fluent 4th, went 3rd after 6th until 3 out, weakened soon after, poor 5th when mistake 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, pressed leader, led after 2nd until 4th, stayed pressing, led again on long run to 2 out and soon clear, appeared to idle and reduced lead 2 out, soon pressed, asserted last, came clear flat
went right 1st, mistakes, held up in last pair, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 6th, pushed along and strugging before 3 out, poor 6th when blundered 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, held up in touch, headway to track leaders 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, rallied to poor 4th before 2 out
tracked leading pair until after 6th, went right next and ridden, went 3rd again 3 out, soon one pace and no impression on leading duo, took 2nd close home, no chance with winner
held up in rear, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Strollawaynow wasn't winning out of turn at Exeter but won't find it easy giving weight away here over this longer trip. Boogie In The Barn, Call Carlo and Hot Whiskey N Ice are all bumper winners and entitled to respect while Fourth Act has a solid NH pedigree and is likely to improve as he gains experience. ALBERT BRIDGE makes his debut over hurdles but won twice over middle-distances on the Flat and was second over 2m1f at Ayr last September. His trainer has done well with similar types in the past so he gets a tentative vote to make a winning start.
Strollawaynow (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Tullyesker Hill (10-12) by 4l, 12 ran.
Albert Bridge 25-1 (8-7) Tracked leader, led over 5f out, headed 4f out, weakened over 1f out, 20th of 33, 21l behind Scatter Dice (8-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct (flat).
Boogie In The Barn (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Led after about 3f, clear over 1f out, kept on well, won at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) gd in Dec beating Leith Hill Legasi (10-9) by 11l, 6 ran.
Call Carlo 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 6f out, weakened 5f out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Howlongisafoot (10-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Apr.
Fourth Act (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened over 3f out, 7th of 12, 39l behind Champagne At Tara (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f NH flat (6) gd in Oct.
Hot Whiskey N Ice (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always prominent, led over 3f out, soon ridden, stayed on and in command well inside final furlong, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Forthefunofit (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
No Substitute (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, modest 7th and no impression from 2 out, 7th of 21, 22l behind Oscar Hoof (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 7-1 (9-2) Held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, no real progress until stayed on inside final furlong, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Secret Edge (9-2) at Newbury 2m app hcp (5) sft in Oct (flat).
