held up, mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, soon no impression
in touch, led approaching and mistake 3 out, headed 2 out no extra
prominent, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, pulled up and dismounted before 2 out
held up towards rear, outpaced 8th, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and kept on same pace
in touch, driven to challenge before 3 out, soon weakened
led 1st, soon lost place and behind
held up mid-division, weakened 7th
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened before last
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, every chance 2 out, kept on well
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 7th, weakened next, pulled up before last
behind, headway 4 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, ran on
held up, towards rear, under pressure 6th, soon beaten
Nonrunner
The race of the day features an intriguing runner in Swampy Blue who is sure to attract plenty of support given his connections. He may help make the market for one or two of the others and we like the look of Bishop's Bridge with Olympian, Mexican Bob and Smart John amongst others of interest. The selection hasn't raced over hurdles since 2006 but he won that start and resumes his hurdling career on just a 6lb higher mark. He's a decent chaser who's competitive from higher marks than today's in that sphere and who has gone well fresh in the past. He's an interesting prospect in this heat. Swampy Blue may be a ten year-old but he's only had seven starts and ran an improved race to chase home and in-form and progressive horse last time. That came over two miles at Taunton and he seems sure to be suited by this longer trip and he's accorded the utmost respect. Olympian was a shade disappointing last time but he has time on his side and may well be able to bounce back. Smart John showed improved form last time and could get into the mix again and Mexican Bob should go well if he sees out this trip but Bishop's Bridge will do for us.
Mexican Bob 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division until weakened approaching 2 out, 21st of 22, 31l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Bishop's Bridge (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 2nd, never dangerous, 7th of 11, 20l behind Edmo Yewkay (10-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jan.
In Media Res (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Very Cool (11-5) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Lincoln's Inn (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, badly hampered 4th and lost place, ridden and headway after 3 out, went 4th next, weakened last, 7th of 18, 23l behind Pagano (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Feb.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 7-2co-fav (10-7) In touch, pushed along halfway, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 10l behind Buster Hyvonen (11-3) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Aberdeen Park 9-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 21, 44l behind Wun Chai (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Key Phil (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, raced keenly, headway 8th, mistake 13th, soon driven, weakened well before 4 out and fell 2 out in race won by Beesneez (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Olympian (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened on long run approaching last, 7th of 16, 21l behind Lupanar (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Smart John 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, soon hung left, no extra last, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Brook No Argument (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Bennynthejets (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Led to 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 27l behind Willie The Fish (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Swampy Blue (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Held up behind, smooth headway 3 out, csoon ridden, stayed on from last, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Jigsaw Dancer (11-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
Hoh Nelson 25-1 (10-9) Behind from 4th, last of 4, well behind Gods Token (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Najca De Thaix (FR) 7-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened and lost place 7th, tailed off when jumped very slow 3 out, 4th of 5, 41l behind Carly Bay (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
