tracked leader until before 3 out, went 2nd again after 2 out, every chance last, held final 100 yards
tracked leaders, went 2nd going well before 3 out, led next, ridden flat, stayed on
led, ridden 11th, headed 2 out, one pace flat
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 3rd, every chance briefly before 4 out, lost place 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up in touch in rear, not fluent 6th, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, fell last
Mark Grant is Todareistodo's regular pilot so it wouldn't be wise to put too much emphasis on the fact that the trainer's son rides Iona Days for Julian Smith. The latter would have every chance of landing this on his close second to Foxbridge at Ffos Las last month, though is 7lb higher now. Brody Bleu started favourite at Fontwell 12 days ago but was on and off the bridle throughout and both of his wins have come on much faster ground than this. RAY DIAMOND's run at Uttoxeter last time was disappointing but the longer trip was at least partly to blame. He'd won over this distance on heavy going earlier and can bounce back today as Bearly Legal is another with plenty to prove on the prevailing ground.
Brody Bleu (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Made most to 9th, in touch, outpaced in 4th when left 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Morgan's Bay (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
Bearly Legal (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, in touch 9th, outpaced 5 out, kept on same pace in 4th from next, never on terms, 4th of 10, 13l behind It's A Steal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Ray Diamond 6-1 (11-11) Led 2nd, jumped right 3rd, headed and mistake next, led before 5th, headed after 10th, not fluent 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, well behind Farbreaga (11-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Iona Days (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up, hit 1st, closed 4th, led after 11th, bumped 3 out, headed before next, led again towards finish, headed post, 2nd of 6, shd behind Foxbridge (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Todareistodo 16-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, fell 2nd, in a race won by Bob Ford (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Oct, 7 ran.