prominent, not fluent 5th, went 2nd after 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon headed, stayed challenging, led again flat, driven out
took keen hold, held up towards rear, hit 3rd, headway after 6th, not fluent 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 8th, weakening when hit 3 out
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden after 7th, lost place next, soon beaten, plugged on from 2 out
led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division, headway 3rd, weakened after 8th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway after 5th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression, weakened flat
took keen hold, tracked leader until hit 8th, soon weakened, tailed off
tookkeen hold early in mid-division, lost place 4th, not fluent 6th, headway after 8th, went 4th approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, swished tail flat
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, soon ridden along, well beaten after 8th, plugged on from 2 out
held up, ridden and headway after 6th, led 3 out, hard pressed threafter, ridden and edged right 2 out, headed flat, just held
Nonrunner
Caught By Witness won a maiden hurdle at Fakenham in January but failed to figure back at the same track last time, while Puerto Azul hasn't improved on his decent second behind Organisateur at Taunton in November. Penyfan Dawn went close off higher marks after winning at Stratford and he's a live contender but slight preference is for BADGERS COVE. He scored over 3m at Towcester last time but won over C&D in November and there looks more to come from Robin Dickin's charge. The unexposed Loch Ba and Rock Salmon could prove best of the rest.
Badgers Cove (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Raced keenly, soon led, ridden and headed narrowly after 3 out, regained lead next, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Overnight Fame (10-5) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Penyfan Dawn (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed narrowly when left in lead last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Brett Vale (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Puerto Azul (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway after 3 out, effort next, soon lost place, 6th of 12, 25l behind Pere Blanc (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Admiral Dundas (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leader until 3rd, stayed in 3rd, hit 7th, driven before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, 43l behind Kauto The Roc (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Somewhatinevitable (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 29l behind Shuil Royale (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Red Rouble (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 11th of 13, well behind Aviador (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Thoresby (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up in touch, challenging when mistake 2 out, faded before next, 6th of 10, 17l behind Goodwood Starlight (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 4yo mdn stks (4) gd in Mar.
Diamond Mm (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Tracked winner, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, blundered 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 37l behind Empress Orchid (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Loch Ba (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened when not fluent last, 6th of 15, 16l behind Another Dimension (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Rock Salmon 8-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, went 3rd after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Pepito Collonges (9-13) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Apache Chant (USA) 13-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, never travelled, hard driven approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 23l behind Rare Symphony (9-12) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Caught By Witness (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) In touch, ridden 4 out, weakened soon after 2 out, 7th of 9, 27l behind Brunswick Gold (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Feb.
