chased leaders, driven along from 13th, weakened 3 out
led, jumped slowly 9th, narrowly headed 4 out, regained lead next, blundered and headed 2 out, stayed challenging and chance last unable to quicken flat
pressed leader, led 4 out to next, stayed challenging, every chance last, unable to quicken flat
held up behind leaders, closed 3 out, led 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat
mistake, took keen hold, tracked leaders, ridden when blundered 3 out and weakened
The Luder has plenty of weight to carry but the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding should be up to the task of giving weight away all round and he is preferred to Turnberry Bay and Go For One. The last mentioned handles plenty of cut in the ground and David Wintle's gelding has been running consistently well so has to be respected in receipt of weight from the selection. Alan King's Sha Bihan disappointed at Kempton when last seen in January but a lot of the yard's runners were out of form then so the gelding may be better than he showed that day. Similar comments apply to Gary Moore's New Entic although amore interesting runner may be David Pipe's Turnberry Bay, who steps up to a more suitable trip for his debut over fences which is also his first run in a handicap. The Luder has plenty going for him though and he gets the vote.
The Luder (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) With leader, led 6th, driven along from 10th, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 4, 3l behind An Accordion (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Go For One (IRE) 11-2 (10-6) With leader, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, left in lead 2 out, soon headed and one pace, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Sha Bihan (FR) 5-1co-fav (11-12) Hampered 2nd, mid-division, headway 9th, driven and weakened 13th, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Lady of Scarvagh (11-10) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
New Entic (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Chased winner, dropped to 5th after 4 out, no danger after, 4th of 5, 14l behind Limited Edition (11-4) at Kempton 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Turnberry Bay (FR) 8-11fav (11-6) In touch, led 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 4th of 12, 3l behind Bob Bites Back (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
