took keen hold tracking leaders on outside, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, struggling when hung left from 3 out, soon eased, tailed off and pulled up 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along and headway on inside approaching 3 out but still plenty to do, ridden and chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd before the last, never any chance with unchallenged winner
held up in last pair, steady headway but still plenty to do after 3 out, edged left and kept on run-in, went 3rd close home but never any chance with unchallenged winner
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
held up off the pace towards rear, steady headway approaching 5th, soon tracking leaders, chased (clear) winner before 2 out, until before the last, weakened run-in, lost 3rd towards finish
in touch, pushed along before 8th, chasing leaders when hung left approaching 3 out, weakened before next
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, mistake and weakened 2 out
took keen hold, tracked (clear) winner, hit 4th, no chance when lost 2nd before 2 out, chased leading pair until between last two, weakened run-in
chased leaders, pushed along on long run before 3 out, weakened before next
made all, 10 lengths clear 3rd, maintained strong pace and over 20 lengths ahead 3 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
Nonrunner
Milansbar ran a cracker when attempting a hat-trick at Haydock but has gone up another 3lb since. Closing Ceremony also came up just short in a hat-trick bid at Warwick last time and is another still climbing the weights. He may struggle to confirm earlier Haydock running with Araldur and MILAN BOUND (NAP) on today's terms. The latter is 11lb better off for a head defeat in November and his stable, who won this 12 months ago, is right back in form. The Pipe stable runs Shotavodka and Bygones Sovereign but neither make much appeal off their current marks while the market may be the best guide to the chances of the returning Provo. It's a long time since either Merry King or Tempest River last won over hurdles and Bally Beaufort is still a maiden under Rules.
Rigour Back Bob (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Chased leader in 5th, no extra after 3 out, weakened, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Monksland (11-8) at Leopardstown 3m hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec '12.
Merry King (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Always front rank, 3rd 4 out, driven between horses to challenge between last 2, every chance last, went well held 2nd soon after, no extra and lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 19, 4 1/2l behind Many Clouds (11-6) at Newbury 3m 2f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov.
Araldur (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway to go mid-division 5th, pushed along in 4th before 3 out, outpaced 2 out, kept on, 4th of 8, 9l behind Barafundle (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan.
Shotavodka (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, behind after 4th, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Tea For Two (9-12) at Kempton 2m 5f Listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Jan.
Rydon Pynes 4-1fav (11-5) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th, headway after next, went 2nd 2 out, ran on flat, led towards finish, won at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Apr beating Billy Dutton (11-3) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Milan Bound (IRE) 4-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders in 4th, headway before 3 out, challenged last, every chance run-in, kep ton and just held close home, 2nd of 14, hd behind Closing Ceremony (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Bally Beaufort (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, slight lead approaching 4th, mistake 6th, headeed before 2 out, chased leader until between last two, no extra in 4th approaching the last, 4th of 7, 7l behind Out Sam (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) sft in Jan.
Provo (IRE) 11-4 (10-13) Led to 7th, chased winner after, 3 lengths down and ridden when fell 2 out, in a race won by Ardkilly Witness (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec '13, 5 ran.
Tempest River (IRE) 9-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, ridden between last two, soon no impression, kept on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Land Of Vic (11-9) at Kempton 3m mrs hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Towards rear and mistake 1st, 8th halfway, took closer order after 3 out, challenged on outer approaching 2 out and led before next, headed close home and no extra, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Black Zero (11-10) at Limerick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-109 in Dec.
Bygones Sovereign (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden along before 2nd, led next, driven and headed before 6th, lost place after 8th, stayed on again from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 8l behind Awaywiththegreys (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) hvy in Dec.
Milansbar (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, headed after 3rd, kept on well to take 2nd run-in, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Barafundle (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Jan.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led until after 3 out, soon outpaced by winner, closed last, no impression, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Join The Clan (10-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
