tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, closed 6th, outpaced 9th, well beaten 4 out, went 4th before 2 out
held up in touch on outside, 2nd 4 out, no impression before last
led early, lost place and pushed along 4th, ridden after next, headway 8th, close 2nd next until before 4 out, weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden 9th, no impression before 3 out, went 3rd next
took keen hold in rear, headway to challenge 2nd, led next, headed when jumped left 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 9th
held up in rear, blundered badly 8th, well beaten 4 out, fell next
took keen hold, soon led, headed 3rd, led before 7th, clear approaching last, comfortably
Lou Vert only ran five times over hurdles and may do better now his attention is switched to fences. Dr Dunraven has a similar profile while Wade Harper had In On The Act behind when second to a subsequent winner at Taunton and has been dropped 2lb since. MERCIAN KING can make the most of his experience, however, having been left on the same mark as when runner-up to Bishop’s Court at Fontwell on Boxing Day. The winner has completed a four-timer subsequently and is now rated 17lb higher.
In On The Act 17-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, outpaced 10th, well beaten after 4 out, went 4th 2 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Speredek (11-4) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Lou Vert (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Behind from 3rd, no danger after, 14th of 18, 26 1/4l behind Wildmoor Boy (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Wade Harper (IRE) 9-4 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd from 10th, no impression after 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Speredek (11-4) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Mercian King (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) In rear and in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, pushed along to challenge before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Bishops Court (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Dr Dunraven 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place when came into view after 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 7, 24 3/4l behind New Republic (10-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Emperor Commodos 9-1 (11-4) Behind, headway 5 out to chase leaders, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 24 3/4l behind Truckers Highway (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Deadly Approach 10-1 (10-6) Led, 2 lengths ahead when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
