tracked leader, driven to challenge after 2 out, stayed on well, never reached winner
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure closing stages
made all, driven 4 lengths clear 3 out, ran on strongly
held up in touch, keen, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, under pressure when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, modest 4th, tailed off
NonRunner
Three of these are entered in next month’s Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham including the progressive PETER THE MAYO MAN. He is taken to shrug off a hike in the weights having landed a hat-trick with an easy success at Newbury in November. Lough Derg Spirit came up short in a Grade Two at Ascot behind the Paul Nicholls-trained Capitaine last time and the latter runs the unexposed High Secret in this - the useful ex-Flat performer made a winning start over hurdles at Taunton last week. London Prize is also in the big one but has plenty to find with the selection on these terms and was entered in a handicap here yesterday. The remaining pair, Stipulate and Optima Petamus, could prove to be out of their depth.
Peter The Mayo Man (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well 3 out, led next, came clear between last two, very easily, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Clayton (11-3) by 11l, 6 ran.
High Secret (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Chased leaders, 2nd from 2 out, led flat, quickened clear, won at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Jan beating Gold Mountain (11-4) by 7l, 10 ran.
Lough Derg Spirit (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked (clear) winner until pushed along after 3 out, chased leading pair until 2 out, weakened between last two, 4th of 6, 8l behind Capitaine (11-7) at Ascot 2m (1) gs in Dec.
Optima Petamus 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear and keen, headway before 4 out, soon tracked leaders, hampered and left 3rd last, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 33 3/4l behind Fattsota (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Stipulate 13-8fav (11-5) Led, blundered and pecked badly 3 out, soon headed, kept on and not recover, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Idder (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) gd in Jan.
London Prize 15-8fav (11-5) Close up, tracked winner 4th, ridden to challenge from 2 out, driven to lead narrowly flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 14, shd behind Bandsman (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
