led, narrowly headed 2 out, stayed challenging and every chance until found no extra final 150 yards
always behind, tailed off 3 out, never a factor, pulled up before next
on her toes lining up, well away, held up disputing 5th, closer in 4th place 4th, went 2nd home turn, led narrowly 2 out, kept slight advantage, ridden before last, battled on gamely to assert final 150 yards
raced wide towards rear,
chased leader until after 3 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off
held up in last pair, good headway out wide into 3rd before 2 out, ridden and weakened into 4th run-in
always in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd after 3 out until pushed along home turn, ridden and weakened before 2 out
off the pace in 6th, weakened quickly after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
tracked leaders on inside, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in
LADY GWEN (NAP) has been raised 5lb for scoring at Taunton last week but that was a conditionals' race so she gets in here on her original mark. Minella Plus is better over fences but he's scored from much higher marks than this over timber in the past. Racy Lacey won a maiden hurdle here in April last year but was well beaten in novice company at Hexham the following month and hasn't run since. Hugueneau has joined Dan Skelton after uninspiring form over timber since scoring between the flags. Tropical Talent hasn't shown much so far though has joined an in-form yard but this may prove tough for the three-year-old Climate Precedent.
Minella Plus (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along on outside 3 out, no extra from last, 5th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Enthused (12-0) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Racy Lacey (IRE) 7-4 (11-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 2 out, soon pushed along and beaten, 4th of 6, 14 3/4l behind Gentle Connections (11-7) at Hexham 2m (4) gs in May.
Lady Gwen 9-2 (11-12) Midfield, headway and chased leaders before 2 out, led jumping last, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Johnny Boom (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 15 ran.
Blue Bear 80-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along off pace approaching 2 out, late headway in 5th, 5th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Coniston George (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Royal Max (FR) 50-1 (11-13) Mid-division, dropped to rear and struggling after 8th, pulled up after 4 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Hugueneau (FR) 28-1 (11-1) Held up, struggling from 5th, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Somespring Special (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) gd in May.
Seaborough (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
We Still Believe (IRE) 14-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders, driven 2f out, never a threat, 9th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Jewel Maker (9-9) at Newcastle 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Tropical Talent 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders out wide, pushed along halfway, outpaced over 2f out, soon weakened and behind, 8th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Weloof (9-7) at Lingfield 1m hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Climate Precedent 11-4 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened, hit next and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 9, 26l behind Salver (11-0) at Warwick 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
