took keen hold, held up in last pair, last and struggling before 6th, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when blundered next
chased leading pair, pushed along after 3 out, 2nd next, ridden and no impression before the last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on inside tracking leaders 4th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
led until approaching 2nd, chased leader, pushed along to lead before 2 out where went left, clear when went left again last
chased leaders on inside, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and weakened between last two, hit last
held up in last trio, pushed along after 5th, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leader, led approaching 2nd, went slightly right 5th, slight peck 3 out, headed before 2 out, mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, plugged on same pace in 3rd
Gary Moore sent out the useful Clayton to win this last year and his Royal Hall may have needed the run when well beaten at Newbury earlier this month. Stablemate Argyle was placed in five of his 10 races on the Flat and might make a hurdler. Bumper winner The Caller showed promise on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon in November but has been well beaten on both starts since, including here last time. OSCARS BOSS won a couple of bumpers in Ireland in the first half of last year. He is jumping hurdles for the first time today and hasn’t raced since September but his yard knows how to ready one at home and he’ll have had plenty of schooling so get the nod.
Clondaw Westie (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, dist behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Fennann 66-1 (9-9) Keen held up towards rear, weakened 2f out, last of 9, 12 3/4l behind Aurora Gray (9-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Oscars Boss 3-1 (12-3) Chased leader, closer and left 5th after 6f, pushed along entering straight, ridden and no impression in 3rd over 1f out, no extra, 3rd of 7, 10 3/4l behind Miss Eyecatcher (11-10) at Listowel 2m Soft - Heavy in Sep.
Royal Hall (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped right 1st, closed on leading pack after 5th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 12, 37l behind Beyond Conceit (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Jan.
The Caller 9-2 (11-4) Always in last pair, pushed along and struggling after 5th, modest 5th last, never involved, 5th of 9, 31l behind Bastien (11-10) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Up The Navan Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Bastien (11-10) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Argyle (IRE) 6-1 (9-2) Took keen hold, prominent, went 2nd 7f out, every chance 3f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened 2f out, soon behind and eased, tailed off, 12th of 13, 30 1/2l behind Zenafire (9-7) at Haydock 1m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Fishergate 50-1 (9-2) Towards rear, never threatened, 11th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Lobster Cocktail (9-5) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Gregarious (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear and keen, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Allfredandnobell (11-0) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Faheem 16-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, dist behind Templier (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.