tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, challenge from 3 out, soon ridden, led last, ran on
held up, pushed along after 8th, some headway, no impression on leaders approaching 3 out
in touch until jumped slowly 2nd, mid-division after, behind from 8th, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 8th, shaken up and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened after 8th, tailed off
jumped big, led, jumped slowly and headed 6th, jumped slowly again 7th and soon demoted towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, every chance from 3 out, not quicken flat
always prominent, led 6th, ridden after 3 out, headed last, stayed on under pressure
Hawridge King seemed to appreciate the step up to this trip when winning at Taunton last time and is taken to defy the penalty for that success with the main threats looking to be Backbord and Theatre Diva. Henry Daly's mare has run creditably in three starts since joining current connections, having formerly been trained in Ireland, and she has to be respected but she probably needs to improve again to beat the selection so may be booked for a place at best. Cardinal Spirit has improved with each start and could be of interest back over hurdles today having run over fences last time. Steve Brookshaw's The Sneakster is seemingly no better than plating class and of more interest may be Lucy Wadham's Backbord, who is entitled to strip fitter for his recent return at Cheltenham. Hawridge King looks to be going the right way at present though, especially now that he has seemingly found his right trip and is taken to follow up his Taunton success.
Hawridge King 9-4fav (10-12) Prominent, chased leader and going well 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, ran on from last, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gd in Oct beating Noble Bily (10-7) by 3l, 11 ran.
Backbord (GER) 7-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 16, 18l behind Mith Hill (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Cardinal Spirit 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression 5th, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Atura Gatti (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd.
Danahill Lad (USA) 100-1 (10-11) Prominent until weakened halfway, soon well behind, tailed off 4f out when pulled up in race won by Golden Child (10-11) at Worcester 2m nhf (6) gs in Oct, 14 ran.
Galaxia (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, no impression, 6th of 8, 18l behind Kicks For Free (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd.
Lustre Lad Overbury gelding out of winning chaser/hurdler Welsh Lustre.
Ravens Flight (IRE) 66-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, progress approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 40l behind Good Book (10-13) at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Supremely Smart (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Not jump well, always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Aces Four (11-4) at Ludlow 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in Feb, 16 ran.
Theatre Diva (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened 5th, 13th of 20, 42l behind Tipperary All Star (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs.
The Sneakster (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, led 2 out, headed close home, 2nd of 12, hd behind Zonic Boom (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gd.
