raced keenly, tracked leading pair, went 2nd between last two, ridden and kept on same pace run-in
tracked leader, led travelling well 2 out, shaken up and quickened clear run-in
led until 2 out, chased winner, ridden and lost 2nd between last two, kept on same pace in 3rd
tracked leading trio, blundered badly and unseated rider 4th
raced keenly, held up last, left in 5th place and hampered 4th, 4th approaching 8th until next, soon weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
not fluent 1st, held up, in last pair, left in 4th place 4th until dropped to 5th approaching 8th, 4th again next, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out
Forest Bihan made a winning start over fences at Towcester but this looks a tougher assignment under a penalty. WAITING PATIENTLY (NAP) also has 7lb extra after scoring at Sedgefield but was always going to make a better chaser than hurdler and remains unexposed. Ash Park is no forlorn hope as he only found one too good on his fencing bow at Carlisle in October and had a good strike-rate over timber while Dakota Grey was consistent over the smaller obstacles last season. Lyvius had a rating of 145 over hurdles a couple of years ago but has had his problems since.
Forest Bihan (FR) 11-8fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, good headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m (3) gd in Nov beating Pinkie Brown (11-3) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Waiting Patiently (IRE) Evensfav (10-11) Tracked leaders, led before last, soon clear, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Burtons Well (10-13) by 7l, 7 ran.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along and weakening when hit 6 out, pulled up, at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
Ash Park (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up behind, headway after 12th, 5th 2 out, ridden to chase winner when edged right towards far side rail after last, kept on, always held, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Gurkha Brave (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Dakota Grey 13-8 (11-6) Led, headed before 2nd, chased winner, ridden 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Mister Kit (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) gs in Mar.
Lyvius 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, in touch on outside after 5th, effort 3 out, lost place next, weakened before last, 12th of 21, 32l behind Theinval (11-7) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
