in touch towards rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off
jumped well, tracked clear leader, closed 4 out, led 2 out, clear next, comfortable
close up, ridden to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace and lost 3rd close home
led and soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, ridden not fluent and headed 2 out, stayed on one pace
not fluent, in rear, struggling 12th, pulled up 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced 2 out, ridden and rallied run in, went 3rd close home
No Ordinary Joe boasts a solid strike-rate and is one of a couple interesting newcomers to chasing in this. Hermes Allen is the other having won the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle around here less than a year ago. He has already won between the flags but might be a bit ring-rusty after a break and wind surgery. Colonel Mustard placed yet again on his chasing bow at Down Royal but Marble Sands won at Ayr earlier in the month and Tightenourbelts did likewise at Ludlow. NICKLE BACK has taken to fences like a duck to water and, though upped in grade for this, could cash in on his guaranteed fitness and experience.
Colonel Mustard (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, pushed along entering straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Found A Fifty (11-12) at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Nov.
Hermes Allen (FR) 3-1fav (11-7) Led early, tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, every chance 2 out, lost 2nd soon after last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6 1/4l behind Irish Point (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f (1) gs in Apr.
Marble Sands (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Rear of midfield, headway 4 out, chased leaders 3 out, went second approaching last, led just after last, ran on well, won at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Parisencore (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Nickle Back (IRE) 4-5fav (11-9) Made all, soon clear, pushed along and in command before last, stayed on well, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Hystery Bere (11-0) by 19l, 6 ran.
No Ordinary Joe (IRE) 15-2fav (11-11) Held up, headway under pressure from off pace 2 out, could not get on terms with leaders last when switched out wide, kept on same pace flat, 7th of 20, 9 3/4l behind Fennor Cross (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Tightenourbelts (IRE) 11-8fav (12-0) Jumped well, made all, eased flat, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Llandinabo Lad (11-10) by 10l, 7 ran.
