soon mid-division on outside, chased leaders 4 out, one pace 2 out, soon ridden, well held after
mid-division, headway on outside 6 out, soon in touch, challenged 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on under pressure closing stages, not reach winner
tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, soon no impression, weakened from 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6 out, challenged 4 out, led next, 2 lengths clear last, soon ridden, held on towards finish
behind, outpaced 4 out, never able to challenge
mid-division, outpaced before 4 out, never on terms, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never reached leaders, weakened from 2 out, tailed off
led or disputed lead until blundered 8th, not fluent next, lost place 6 out, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
led or disputed lead until led 8th, hard pressed 4 out, headed next, one pace 2 out, well held in 4th after
towards rear, outpaced 5 out, ridden and kept on under pressure from 3 out, never near leaders
raced keenly, held up behind, steady headway 6 out, tracked leaders 4 out, disputed 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd and held towards finish
mid-division, reminders after 10th, behind from next, no danger after
NonRunner
This looks wide-open with most of these capable of winning if at the top of their game. Gala Ball’s blunder two out here three weeks ago allowed WARRIORS TALE to go clear but Paul Nicholls’ novice appeared to be travelling best at the time anyway and is he is fancied to come out on top again, despite a 7lb higher mark. Warwick winner No Buts will again have the benefit of Daniel Hiskett’s 5lb claim and Ericht is well treated nowadays. Icing On The Cake is worth another try over this longer trip but the lack of a recent run may count against Gurkha Brave and Casino Markets. Aqua Dude is getting closer, however, and preferred to Ut Majeur Aulmes, who will have his stamina to prove. O Maonlai is hard to catch right but beat the selection over 2m6f here in November so looks the pick of the remainder.
O Maonlai (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Held up in last pair, good headway on outside chasing leaders approaching 10th, every chance when blundered badly 12th, not able to recover, 4th of 9, dist behind Thomas Crapper (10-2) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Gala Ball (IRE) 6-4fav (11-8) Tracked winner, not fluent 2nd, hit 4 out and reminder, ridden and loooked held when blundered badly 2 out, not recover, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Warriors Tale (10-9) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Walk In The Mill (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, slow 12th, soon ridden and lost place, 7th when not fluent 3 out, weakened, 9th of 13, dist behind Foxtail Hill (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Ulck Du Lin (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair until 5th, blundered and lost place next, never on terms after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Warriors Tale 2-1 (10-9) Mostly jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, travelling best and looked likely winner when blundered and left clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Gala Ball (11-8) by 11l, 3 ran.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 6-1 (12-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, outpaced from 8th, modest 4th 2 out until towards finish, 5th of 6, 20 1/2l behind Overtown Express (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-7) Prominent, pressed winner from 4 out, every chance and upsides winner run-in, kept on and just held post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Captain Redbeard (10-8) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Gurkha Brave (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) With leader, led briefly 8th, led again 11th, ridden after 2 out, wandered under pressure closing stages, kept on (4th last fence omitted), won at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Ash Park (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 12 ran.
Ericht (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 7 out, went 2nd 4 out, led before 3 out, clear before last, headed near finish when no extra and lost 2 places last strides, 3rd of 8, 1/4l behind Killala Quay (10-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Casino Markets (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) In rear, slightly hampered 1st, mistake 2nd and 7th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 14, 20l behind Fox Norton (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Shadows Lengthen 13-2 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, outpaced next, kept on from last to take 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 18 1/2l behind Kalane (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Icing On The Cake (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Held up in 6th, steady headway tracking leading pair 8th, went 2nd before 2 out until between last 2, weakened into 4th before last, 4th of 9, 8 3/4l behind Speredek (11-6) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
No Buts 4-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, closed before last, led flat, driven out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Dresden (11-12) by nk, 7 ran.
Grey Gold (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along after 4th, mistake 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Sew On Target (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
