with leader, led 2 out, quickened clear between last 2, stayed on well
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon tracked leaders, not fluent next, driven and stayed on to chase winner flat, always held
mid-division, lost place 4 out, behind and outaced before next, weakened 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never troubled leaders
held up behind, some headway on outside after 4 out, outpaced before next, soon ridden and beaten
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon outpaced, not fluent next, no impression after
raced keenly, mid-division on outside, tracked leaders 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, never on terms
led narrowly, headed 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner before last, lost place flat
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance next, one pace between last 2, no impression with front pair flat
held up in rear, headway into mid-division 3 out, one pace when hampered next, soon weakened
HIGH BRIDGE has been well served by Alex Ferguson’s 7lb claim in both runs to date over hurdles. Not far of the best of last year’s bumper crop, Ben Pauling’s six-year-old can book his place at the Cheltenham Festival by completing his hat-trick as Azzerti and Multiculture have only won maidens to date. The latter has most scope of that pair and holds Little Chunk on the form book. Dead Right is another open to improvement but Jodies Jem couldn’t manage a win on Turf on the Flat in 14 attempts and may have stamina limitations. Not Never might do better when qualified for handicaps.
High Bridge 1-3fav (11-12) Tracked leader, close up when not fluent 4th, led narrowly after 3 out, drew clear approaching last, driven out, comfortably, won at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Jan beating Top Tug (11-12) by 9l, 13 ran.
Azzerti (FR) 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders on inside, left in lead briefly 3rd, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, edged right flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Dec beating Phoeniciana (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 11 ran.
Argus (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, challenging when pecked 2nd, led next, headed 4th, 4th and weakening when mistake 3 out, 6th of 13, dist behind Mr Clarkson (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Crack Du Tay (FR) 100-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 16, 20 1/4l behind River Wylde (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Dead Right 13-8fav (11-0) In touch, headway before 3f out, ridden over 1f out, soon chased winner, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind De Dollar Man (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Dec.
Goldslinger (FR) 7-1 (9-8) Led until over 7f out, weakened over 5f out, 5th of 6, 30 1/2l behind Fern Owl (9-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Jodies Jem 10-1 (9-3) Held up mid-division, headway 2f out, kept on and no extra last 100 yards, 6th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Bastille Day (8-9) at Kempton 1m hcp (3) pol in Jun.
Little Chunk (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Made most, headed approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with winner before last, lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Multiculture (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Multiculture (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Mistake 1st, mid-division, tracked leaders 5th, poised to challenge 3 out, led on bit approaching next, clear before last, eased flat, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Thisonetime (11-4) by 6l, 11 ran.
Not Never 9-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, jumped left 1st, in touch after 3 out, no impression on leader after next, 4th of 8, 18 3/4l behind Sir Antony Browne (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) hvy in Feb.
