led after 1st until next, chased leaders, 2nd after 6th, ridden and held before 2 out, lost 2nd and mistake last, weakened
led and not fluent 2nd, headed before 6th, reminders and dropped to last after 6th, pushed along and struggling before next, rallied from 3 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, led before 6th, ridden clear before 2 out, eased towards finish
led until after 1st, chased leader until before 4th, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and blundered 2 out
Nonrunner
NOMADIC STORM was a progressive sort over fences early in the early half of last year. He won on heavy ground at Newton Abbot in May so conditions won't be a problem and he's fancied to make a winning reappearance. Mrs Muddle was second off this mark at Huntingdon earlier this month so warrants respect but neither Devil's Dyke nor Alder Mairi have taken to fences so far, though the latter is well treated on her hurdles form. Nozic has won twice over these fences but the veteran's good runs are few and far between nowadays.
Alder Mairi (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Raced wide, jumped left, chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th until pushed along 4 out, chased leading pair, weakened before next, 4th of 7, 49l behind Toowoomba (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Jan.
Mr Muddle 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pressed leader 12th, ridden next, kept on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Ultimatum Du Roy (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft.
Nomadic Storm 6-5fav (11-7) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, never really travelled or jumped with any fluency after, headway chasing leaders after 6th, weakening when mistake 4 out, rallied on inside before 2 out, disputing well held 4th when left in modest 3rd at the last, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Respectueux (11-3) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Jun.
Devil's Dyke (USA) 8-1 (10-8) Stated slowly, behind, headway 3 out, kept on run-in, never nearer, 5th of 17, 11l behind Ascendant (11-7) at Ludlow 2m Am hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Nozic (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, closed 4th, pecked 8th, lost place from next, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Pearls Legend (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 8 ran.
