led narrowly to 11th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, prominent on outside 5 out, ridden and effort to chase winner 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression when lost 2nd flat, stayed on to regain 2nd final stride
with leader, led 11th, made rest, ridden when not fluent last, stayed on well to assert clear flat
held up in touch, went left 9th, driven 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner, lost 2nd final stride
tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 12th, soon behind and struggling, chased leaders again briefly 4 out, weakened before next
with leaders, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and no impression before next
held up in rear, in touch on outside 13th, lost place after 4 out, weakened before next
This looks a very tight handicap complicated by Nigel Twiston-Davies saddling Listen Boy and Count Geido Deiro. The former has returned from a long absence in good form, scoring at Uttoxeter before falling early at Newbury, while the latter landed a handicap at Wincanton on Boxing Day before a couple of moderate runs in the spring. Beforeall also scored on Boxing Day at Ffos Las and will be better suited by the heavy ground than most while Harouet has won five times over fences and is perfectly capable of taking this despite a long absence. Fergal Mael Duin has only had three runs over fences and may find this tough as may the youngster Dan's Wee Man and the hat-trick seeking Tothemoonandback, who has shot up the weights. TAKE THE MICK ploughed through the Ludlow mud in February for a very easy victory and with conditions in his favour he's taken to make a successful reappearance.
Beforeall (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, lost place next, rallied and headway 15th, modest 5th, 5th of 9, well behind Le Reve (11-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Listen Boy (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracking leader when blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Bertie Boru (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Count Guido Deiro (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, tailed off 10th, 7th of 8, well behind Ballyoliver (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
Harouet (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Not always fluent towards rear, tailed off 15th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Mountainous (10-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec '13, 20 ran.
Fergal Mael Duin 3-1fav (11-8) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders 5 out, effort when hit 3 out, one pace when not fluent next, no impression flat, 4th of 10, 12l behind Tales Of Milan (10-12) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Tothemoonandback (IRE) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up, hampered 1st, went 3rd from 4th, not fluent 8th, hit next, closed 15th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, pushed out, won at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Over My Head (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Take The Mick 7-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, weakened after 14th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Divine Intavention (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Dan's Wee Man 5-2 (10-4) Disputed lead, driven after 4 out, ridden and one pace before last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Tara Road (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
