tracked leaders, closed 7th, pecked 9th, every chance when mistake 4 out, not fluent next, weakened from 2 out
held up in touch in last, mistake 4th, pecked 9th, outpaced after 11th, rallied last, went 2nd flat, ran on, just failed
tracked leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, went left after last, no extra
led, not fluent 8th, headed 3 out, led again 2 out, just held on
Veteran THEDREAMSTILLALIVE only found one too good in a couple of starts over course and distance in January. He's been dropped a couple of pounds since and is probably worth risking against Taffy Thomas, who has to concede 22 lb including his rider's allowance but has been taking on much better company. He has won off higher marks but not since 2012. Cool Bob's fifth at Ludlow last time was his best run for a while and he's preferred to Bally Lagan of the others, though the latter was third over track and trip in December.
Taffy Thomas 7-2 (10-4) Close up in rear, blundered 6th, ridden when hit 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Dashing George (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
Cool Bob (IRE) 50-1 (9-7) Held up in rear, reminder after 7th, headway and keeping on when left 4th 4 lout, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 4th final 75 yards, 5th of 13, 4 1/2l behind Rhum (11-0) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp ch 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Bally Lagan (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, well beaten final 3f, 9th of 13, 20l behind Domtaline (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 9-2 (10-5) Prominent, not much room 1st, headed when blundered last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Fitandproperjob (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f cond hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
