led until after 4th, last 9th, not fluent next, closed 13th, challenged 4 out until before last, stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, mistake next, pushed along after 12th, close 3rd from 4 out, 3 lengths off winner when mistake last, no impression after, one pace
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed 12th, led after next, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 12th, headed after next, outpaced before 4 out
This is Tyup Pompey's favourite track and trip and he had Up To The Mark, third over a slightly longer distance here at the start of the month, well behind when fifth in this race last year. He's 6lb higher now, however, and has been struggling for form lately. Henry Daly's charge doesn't win very often while Battlecry probably needs further nowadays, though did finish second in a hunter chase over C&D in February last year. DANTARI makes his debut over the larger obstacles but will have had plenty of schooling and has some decent form over hurdles, including a third in a Grade 3 handicap last year. He could be too quick for these if his jumping holds up.
Battlecry 14-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, led 5th, narrowly headed 12th, led again approaching 13th, mistake and headed next, chased leader, went left 17th, went right again and lost 2nd next, weakened rapidly, eaesed, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Masked Man (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Dantari (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led, headeed approaching 5th, lost 2nd soon after, soon ridden, went 2nd again before 4 out until hit 3 out, ridden and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 15, 6l behind Oscar Prairie (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Up To The Mark 8-1 (10-8) Led, headed and hit 2 out, mistake last, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Themilanhorse (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gd.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 50-1 (9-8) Chased leading pair, lost 3rd 9th, soon ridden and weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Carrickboy (11-6) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 7 ran.