led until 2nd, led next, slowed into 6th, headed 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, rallied flat, went 2nd towards finish, unable to trouble winner
held up in touch, raced wide, closed 5th, challenged 4 out, led next, headed soon after last, lost 2nd when no extra towards finish
in touch in last from 2nd, closed 11th, not fluent next, blundered 13th, ridden after 14th, weakened from 3 out
not fluent and led 2nd, headed next, prominent, outpaced after 14th, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4th, not fluent 9th or 12th, led 4 out, headed next, led again soon after last, stayed on
THE OULD LAD (NAP), an impressive winner over track and trip in November, was backed to complete a hat-trick at Cheltenham the following month in a Grade 3. He only found one too good and can defy a 3lb higher mark to get back on track in this. Royal Palladium was probably still just in front when falling three out at Ludlow when on a four-timer. He beat Desert Joe by eight lengths at Market Rasen in December but the latter is now 12lb better off. Alan King's charge is also weighted to get a lot closer to Azure Fly than he did at Newbury. The Musical Guy is thoroughly exposed and looks too high in the weights at present.
Azure Fly (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Sometimes jumped right, made all, came clear from 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating Desert Joe (11-1) by 9l, 11 ran.
The Ould Lad (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Held up towards rear on inside, mistake 9th, headway after 12th, blundered 4 out, left 2nd when not fluent next, stayed on to press winner last, no impression final 150 yards and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Benbane Head (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec.
The Musical Guy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Bumped 1st, towards rear, reminders and struggling before 12th, never a factor, 9th of 11, well behind Tony Star (11-7) at Ludlow 3m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Royal Palladium (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 8 out, headed 4 out, a close 3rd and looking one pace when fell 3 out, in a race won by Firebird Flyer (11-2) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Desert Joe (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, reminders after 11th, went 2nd 4 out, no chance with winner from 3 out, not fluent last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Azure Fly (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
