held up in rear, weakened after 3 out, pulled up after next
mid-division, driven and headway 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leader, led before 2 out, driven clear last, stayed on well
chased leaders, hard driven 3 out, weakened before next
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon rallied, kept on well
chased leaders, lost place approaching 7th, beaten 4 out
mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, effort 2 out, chased winner last, no extra closing stages
behind, headway under pressure after 3 out, no impression
always well in rear, beaten halfway, pulled up before 2 out
Loose Chips, three times a winner here over fences, is having a first run over hurdles since 2013 but isn’t badly treated. Holly Bush Henry won this last year but was then sent chasing and is 5lb higher. However, he will have needed last month’s run at Kempton, though ICE COOL CHAMPS looks better treated. Philip Hobbs’ charge also reverts to hurdles after a spell chasing and has an absence to overcome but he’s a real mud-lover who will have conditions to suit. Another Emotion is unexposed and his novice form looks decent so he is much respected stepping up in trip again while Mellow Ben and Fortunate George have each-way claims.
Lieutenant Colonel 33-1 (11-6) Held up, 6th early, 5th halfway, niggled along 5 out, ridden and no impression next, soon no extra and weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Good Thyne Tara (10-13) at Cork 2m 4f gf in Jul.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up and always towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 13, 32 1/4l behind Younevercall (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Eminent Poet 8-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, pulled up, at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Apr.
Ice Cool Champs (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) In touch on inside, headway chasing leaders 7th, weakening in 4th when mistake 14th, left remote 3rd 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 6, dist behind Joe Farrell (11-1) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Loose Chips 7-1 (11-1) Made all, slow 3rd, cajoled along bend before 12th, not fluent 15th, clear last, stayed on gamely, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Rock Gone (11-6) by 11l, 11 ran.
Fortunate George (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Mid-division, struggling 3 out, 14th of 20, 24 1/4l behind First Assignment (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Another Emotion (FR) 10-3 (11-3) Tracked leader, jumped left and not fluent 4 out, ridden before next, led and edged left after 2 out, headed before last, led and edged left flat, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) sft in Apr beating Luckofthedraw (11-9) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Volt Face (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened on long run before 2 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Erick Le Rouge (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Little Boy Boru (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside 8th, ridden after 4 out, 5 lengths 4th 3 out, closed from 2 out, 2nd last, 3/4 length down flat, held by winner, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Splash of Ginge (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear on outside, headway after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and stayed on to dispute 3rd final furlong, no impression, 4th of 14, 3 3/4l behind Speedo Boy (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
