chased leader, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on well
held up, headway to chase leaders 11th, stumbled on bend after 3 out, weakened after last
chased leaders, hit and unseated rider 8th
held up in touch, blundered 3rd, rider lost iron, ridden 9th, challenged 4 out, taken wide by loose horse 3 out, outpaced from 2 out
held up, blundered 10th, ridden 13th, stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression
led, soon clear, headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last
Cloudmor has been in fine form of late and gets the vote today, with Emerald Destiny and Reasonably Sure looking the main dangers. Len Lungo has had more success with his hurdlers at the track in the past but he looks to hold the ace today with Cloudmor. A course and distance winner, the six-year-old was unlucky to bump into a well-treated rival last time out but would surely have won if not for making persistent mistakes throughout the race. With jumping a concern he is not a good thing, but he is progressive and looks capable of winning off this mark of 102. Emerald Destiny may be the chief danger, receiving 15lbs from the selection. Forcing tactics and a switch to fences has seen Jedd O'Keefe's youngster put in two sound performances and he may prove tricky to peg back if gifted an easy lead. Seymar Lad is well-handicapped for a win but has looked reluctant in recent outings, whilst Dead Mans Dante is back on a winning mark so may put up an improved show. Major Catch was a winner off 110 over hurdles but is yet to translate that form to fences, so of more interest may be Reasonably Sure who looks on an attractive mark if putting it all in. For the winner though we are more than happy to return to Len Lungo's Cloudmor.
Dumadic 15-2 (11-6) Mid-division, mistake and stumbled badly 11th, went 2nd 13th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Sungates (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jul.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, some headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 38l behind Marshall Hall (10-0) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Cloudmor (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Mistakes, close up, led 9th, hard pressed from 3 out, headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, nk behind Sands Rising (10-13) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Major Catch (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, soon behind, 5th of 6, 25l behind Character Building (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Reasonably Sure (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Held up, hampered 3 out, headway next, soon no impression, 4th of 10, 16l behind Englishtown (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Led, headed approaching 4 out, led 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Gastornis (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Seymar Lad (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden and lost place after 4th, behind from 7th, 6th of 9, 41l behind Kercabellec (10-1) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
