led and jumped left throughout, headed after 5 out, regained lead 3 out, clear before 2 out, eased run-in
tracked leader, led after 5 out, headed and blundered 3 out, no impression on winner
in rear, blundered 4th, in a poor 3rd before and blundered 4 out, in 3rd and well held when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 7 out
in touch in 4th, not fluent, in rear from 7th, left remote 3rd 2 out, never dangerous
Though having his 11th start over fences, Seventh Sky is proving really tough and this is probably his best trip. Yorkist handled a step up in trip at Catterick last month but his task was made easier that day when the odds-on favourite fell. Waltz Darling is a course and distance winner but taking on better opposition today and useful hurdler Doyly Carte hasn't really taken to fences so far. TOYE NATIVE was beaten 35 lengths when third in a Grade 2 at Thurles last month but was alongside the winner when falling at Down Royal on Boxing Day and a clear round here could see her get off the mark over the larger obstacles.
Seventh Sky (GER) 3-1 (10-11) Led until 1st, prominent, blundered 2nd, dropped last 9th, closed next, led 2 out, stayed on well, drew clear flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft in Jan beating Killala Quay (11-8) by 7l, 4 ran.
Yorkist (IRE) 6-4 (11-4) Tracked winner, 2 lengths down when left well clear 4 out, jumped right 2 out, stayed on, won at Catterick 2m 3f nov chs (4) sft in Jan beating Calculated Risk (10-11) by 23l, 3 ran.
Waltz Darling (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Dec beating Ballyvoque (9-12) by nk, 13 ran.
Doyly Carte 7-1 (10-7) Prominent, pecked 3 out, 4 lengths 2nd when fell 2 out, in a race won by Grate Fella (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Toye Native (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, no impression 3 out and left moderate 4th next, slight mistake and left distant 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 35l behind Vroum Vroum Mag (11-3) at Thurles 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) in Jan.