made all, drew clear after 2 out, unchallenged, hard held
slowly away, in rear, beaten 4 out
tracked leader, under pressure 2 out, soon one pace, no extra closing stages
held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never a threat
pulled hard, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, stayed on into 2nd closing stages, no chance with easy winner
held up in touch, hit 3rd, rider lost irons when blundering next, pulled up after 7th
Landsman probably matched his best run over hurdles in Ireland when third on his first run for Tim Vaughan at Huntingdon. He has the highest rating of these but it must be significant that THE VERY THING is reunited with Richard Johnson, who was on board when the five-year-old was first past the post at Fakenham in December. He was never really travelling at the same course on New Year’s Day but warrants another chance in a race like this. Animore should be suited by the trip but is making his hurdling debut and Max Liebermann has become disappointing.
Landsman (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led until approaching 2 out, soon rallied, no extra after last, 3rd of 13, 7 1/2l behind Heatstroke (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Feb.
Max Liebermann (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, 6th of 7, 30 1/2l behind Ballynanty (10-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Murphy's Law (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden and lost place before 2 out, 5th of 11, 30 3/4l behind Hill Sixteen (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
The Very Thing (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Close up, ridden 3 out, weakened omitted last, 5th of 6, 7l behind Ceara Be (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Animore 7-1 (10-12) Led, clear to halfway, headed 3f out, outpaced over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Arion Sky (10-12) at Ayr 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Wee Tiger Tots 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, beaten 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Legalized (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan.
Sultans Hero 250-1 (11-2) Raced wide in last trio, mistake and reminder 5th, behind when jumped slowly next, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Boldmere (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (3) gs in Feb.