led, headed after 4th, chased leader until approaching next, close up until weakened appproaching 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, hard ridden after 3 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, held up, headway to go close up 4th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway 6th, went 3rd before 2 out, no chance with leading duo
chased leaders, went 2nd before 5th, challenged 3 out, narrow lead before next, strongly pressed last, stayed on to assert final 100 yards
always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
not fluent towards rear, mistake and ridden 5th, behind and pulled up before 7th
in touch on inside, chased leaders after 7th, stayed on same pace after 3 out
chased leader, narrow lead after 4th, narrowly headed before 2 out, strong rally and every chance last, no extra final 100 yards
always towards rear, struggling after 5th, tailed off
chased leaders, behind from 6th, tailed off
mid-division, ridden after 6th, soon lost place, tailed off
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, lost place 4th, behind from next, tailed off
Joseph Lister won at Huntingdon before finishing a fair fourth in a handicap at Ascot and sets the standard here with his young rider claiming 10lb. But MR HOOPER looked a very smart prospect when winning a Chepstow bumper by five lengths last March and has a jumping pedigree. The lack of a recent run isn't expected to be a problem. Di Kaprio has been rested since failing to last home over 3m at Cheltenham in December and should make his presence felt, while Barlow was third at Chepstow last month and African Eagle showed a bit more when fourth at Fontwell.
Di Kaprio (FR) 6-1 (10-8) Led to 8th, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 7, 48l behind Oscargo (10-13) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Joseph Lister 4-1fav (9-9) Soon held held up in last trio, pushed along after 7th, steady headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, not much room on bend soon after, effort on inside before 2 out, ridden and no extra between last 2, 4th of 10, 13l behind Smad Place (11-9) at Ascot 2m 3f Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Jan.
Abra Abra Cadabra 28-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8f out until over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 12, 23l behind Decimus (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gf in Nov.
African Eagle (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) In rear, stayed on on long run before last, kept on from last, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 9, 7l behind Fourth Estate (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Barlow (IRE) 17-2 (11-6) Held up in last pair, headway approaching 7th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Hawkes Point (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Hatters River (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway into mid-division 7th, never near leaders, 6th of 14, 39l behind Nelson's Bridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.
John's Gem 80-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden after 4th, lost place next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 28l behind Loose Chips (11-4) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Martial Law (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) Towards rear, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 25l behind Salubrious (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Hooper 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, improved 9f out, led over 5f out, clear inside final furlong, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gd in Mar beating Gospel Preacher (11-3) by 5l, 13 ran.
Shaddaii (FR) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, well behind Nelson's Bridge (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Jan.
Veratan (FR) (8-13) 3rd of 13, 7l behind Vertix D'authie (9-4) at Maisons-laffitte(FR) 1m 7f stk sft in Oct '10 (flat).
Who Owns Me (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, badly hampered 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind The Druids Nephew (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Jan.
Yacht London Lady 9-2 (10-11) Led until over 5f out, led 4f out, headed over 2f out, edged left inside fina furlong, no impression, 2nd of 12, 5l behind My Miss Lucy (10-11) at Hereford 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) sft in Jan.
