led until 4th, chased winner until jumped slowly 9th, mistake and unseated rider next
raced wide tracking leader until 4th, chased leaders, lost 3rd at 6th, left in 2nd place at 10th, no impression when ridden mistake and lost 2nd 3 out, weakened into 4th just after next
jumped well, tracked leaders in close 3rd on inside, led 4th, made rest, came clear from 3 out, slight stumble last, stayed on strongly
raced wide tracking leaders when fell 3rd
held up in 5th, left in 4th place 3rd, went 2nd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
held up last, mistake 4th, left in 4th place at 10th, well held when mistake 3 out, went modest 3rd soon after next
Bear Ghylls was third in a Listed event at Carlisle in October on his chasing bow but didn’t run up to that form on his only subsequent start. Diamond State is held by Notlongtillmay, who seeks a four-timer, on recent course and distance running and, along with Half Shot, is racing from out of the handicap. HALO DES OBEAUX beat a couple of subsequent winners over hurdles on his reappearance. He still has a bit to learn about jumping fences judged on his Newbury second and the drop back in trip is a slight concern but he gets 6lb from Limerick winner Drumbear so gets the nod.
Drumbear 5-1 (11-5) Made all, soon asserted, not fluent at 2nd, reduced lead after 4th, pressed 2 out where pecked, stayed on well run-in, won at Limerick 2m 2f Soft - Heavy in Dec beating Limerick Lace (11-5) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Bear Ghylls (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Prominent until after 1st, chased leaders, ridden and beaten after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Fern Hill (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Notlongtillmay 7-4fav (11-0) Jumped left at times, made all, clear from 4 out, not fluent 3 out, eased flat, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Barrichello (11-10) by 16l, 5 ran.
Halo Des Obeaux (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Raced wide, tracked leader until blundered 4th, went 2nd again 7th until 5 out, chased leaders, switched left before 2 out, plugged on in well held 3rd, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Tea For Free (11-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Half Shot (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden before 4 out, dropped to 4th 3 out, stayed on approaching last, kept on into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Minella Drama (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Diamond State (FR) 17-2 (10-5) In rear on outside, not fluent 10th, ridden and struggling after 10th, 4th of 5, 21 1/4l behind Notlongtillmay (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
