close up, lost place 5th, struggling from 8th
with leader until led 4 out, ridden and in command when left clear last
mistakes in rear, ridden 4th, struggling 7th, headway under pressure 3 out, kept on to go a never dangerous 2nd near finish
held up, ridden and headway 8th, ridden 3 out, 2nd and held when fell last
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, soon pulled up
made most until 4 out, chased winner, ridden 2 out, left clear 2nd at last, lost 2nd near finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Recent Ludlow winner Zarzal looks at a disadvantage under a penalty. Dartford Warbler landed a double over hurdles before making a modest debut over fences at Uttoxeter and Le Bacardy is preferred on his win at Kempton back in May. Christopher Wren scored in soft ground at Worcester but was well beaten at Ludlow last time when DAYMAR BAY just failed to catch the winner on his chasing bow. Emma Lavelle's charge can go one better in this and gets the nod.
Le Bacardy (FR) (10-7) 10th of 11, 20l behind Taikun Tino (10-5) at Enghien(FR) 2m 2f chs hvy in Nov.
Christopher Wren (USA) 11-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, not fluent 6th or 8th, ridden in 7th after next, soon weakened, 9th of 11, well behind Oyster Shell (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Daymar Bay (IRE) 7-2fav (10-2) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 5th (water) or 9th, headway and still 6th 2 out, ran on well flat, edged right, not able to reach winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Oyster Shell (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Regal One (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Flaming Charmer (10-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Ironic (FR) 9-2 (11-6) In touch, lost place after 3 out, soon weakened and behind, 8th of 14, 43l behind Chat Room (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec '12.
Drumlang (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Prominent, not fluent 4 out, stayed on same pace, jumped left 2 out, 5th of 11, 7l behind Oyster Shell (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Zarzal (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, chased leaders after 4th, went 2nd before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, just held on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Last Shot (11-4) by shd, 8 ran.
Dartford Warbler (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th, outpaced 5 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, 41l behind Le Bec (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
