made all, clear when went right and hit 2 out, ridden and stayed on well, eased close home, unchallenged
always in last pair, never on terms, tailed off
chased leading pair, went 2nd before 5th until blundered 9th, driven in 4th after 4 out, rallied to 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner
chased eadrs, went 2nd under pressure after 4 out until weakened before next
always towards rear, never on terms, struggling 10th, went left 3 out, went modest 5th last
behind, not fluent 3rd, headway to 5th at 8th, blundered and nearly unseated rider 10th, no chance after, lost modest 5th last
chased winner, went right 4th, lost 2nd before next, went 2nd briefly before 3 out, 3rd and one pace when blundered next
not fluent towards rear, slow and reminders 6th, last pair and struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 8th, weakening when mistake next, soon lost touch, tailed off
The Mighty Mod appears modest while Oh Right, Rester Vrai and A P Ling are racing from out of the handicap proper. Pickworth and Muntami return following a lay-off while Stick Together hasn't shown a great deal in a couple of starts over the larger obstacles, though is rated 9lb higher over hurdles. Laughing Game is improving with experience, however, though he's going struggle to confirm a head verdict over TOP BENEFIT when the pair were second and third behind Esteem at Ludlow as Kim Bailey's grey is now 8lb better off. The top weight looks the one to beat.
Top Benefit (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Led, mistake 11th, headed next, led again after 13th, headed 4 out, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Esteem (9-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Jan.
Pickworth (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Prominent, lost place after 2nd, behind from 6th, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by With Grace (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gf in Jul, 12 ran.
Stick Together 6-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistake 7th, headway after 10th, chased winner before 3 out until before 2 out, left poor 2nd last, weakened and lost 2 places flat, 4th of 10, 11l behind Vin De Roy (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Laughing Game 25-1 (10-2) Held up, not fluent 1st or 5th, swerved to avoid faller 9th, behind next, stayed on from 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 8, 28l behind Storming Gale (11-0) at Bangor 3m beg chase (4) gd in Feb.
Muntami (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Midfield, pushed along 8th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 9, 39l behind Montana Gold (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Sep.
The Mighty Mod (USA) 66-1 (10-4) Always towards rear, weakened from 6 out, 5th of 7, well behind Tiger O'Toole (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd.
Oh Right (IRE) 16-1 (9-12) Close up, led before 4th, headed 5th, led again 9th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 37l behind Vin De Roy (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Rester Vrai (FR) 40-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 12th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Oscar Close (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
A P Ling 200-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, hit 6th, tailed off when hit 3 out, 10th of 14, 46l behind Mac Halen (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
