held up in touch in last, took keen hold, mistake 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent and headed last, no impression on winner flat
jumped left and not fluent, led until 1st, prominent, mistake 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next
held up in touch, headway after 7th, led last, soon clear, stayed on well
took keen hold, led 1st, headed 2 out, soon switched then hung left, 3rd and beaten last, weakened flat
prominent, rider lost iron briefly after 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden and last after 7th, soon behind, tailed off 3 out
Nonrunner
Bumper winner PAY THE KING was sent off odds-on on his hurdling debut at Chepstow but didn't find as much off the bridle as expected and only finished third. It was his first run for a new yard, however, so we can probably give him another chance to show what he is capable of here. Deep Trouble was placed in a couple of bumpers in Ireland last summer but reappears following a lengthy absence while Lower Hope Dandy, another bumper winner, appeared to appreciate 3m at Chepstow last time and may not enjoy the drop in distance. The others have it all to do.
Deep Trouble (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Led, ridden over 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed over 1f out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Tasitiocht (11-7) at Cork 2m 3f N H flat in Jul.
Lower Hope Dandy 16-1 (11-3) Held up in mid-division, jumped slowly 2nd, headway approaching 5th where not fluent, one pace and no impression on leaders after 2 out, 3rd of 15, 16l behind Moorlands Mist (11-0) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (5) sft.
Manballandall (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) With leader, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 10th of 14, well behind Red Sherlock (10-7) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Jan.
Pay The King (IRE) 8-11fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, switched inside before next, soon one pace, no impression flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 15, 7l behind Annacotty (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ranthambore 80-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 3rd, hit 5th, mistake and headed 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 8th of 16, well behind One Conemara (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Supermightyfine 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden before 2 out, soon struggling, 8th of 13, 39l behind Viva Steve (11-1) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Cladding 100-1 (10-7) Jumped left, led until after 3rd, prominent until 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 15, well behind E Street Boy (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
