led until approaching 2 out, soon hard ridden, faded before last
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, soon detatched, pulled up after 3 out
always prominent, led after 3 out, soon clear, eased near finish, impressive
chased leaders, pushed along before 4th, weakened next, remote 4th
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
always in rear, driven when mistake 3 out, weakening when slipped up before next
held up towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, headway approaching 3 out, soon under pressure, no impression from next
DESERT CRY caught the eye on his hurdling debut at Leicester and improved to finish second on better ground at Ayr last month. Five times a winner on the Flat in Italy, he can get off the mark over timber here at the chief expense of Jack The Gent. George Moore's imposing seven-year-old almost certainly won't come into his own until going chasing and may find this an insufficient test of stamina. Maggio was beaten at Kelso and Hexham in the autumn so may be flattered by recent placed efforts in better company in Ireland but still rates a danger along with Uttoxeter winner Paddy Partridge.
Jack The Gent (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Led, ridden over 3f out, headed final furlong, no extra and lost 2nd place last 100 yards, 3rd of 11, 4l behind King Of The Night (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gd in Jan.
Alta Rock (IRE) 80-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, took closer halfway, weakened before 4f out, last of 11, 48l behind Knockalongi (11-5) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jan.
Desert Cry (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner from 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 17, 2 1/4l behind Darna (11-11) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Harris Hawk 50-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 18, 23l behind A Bridge Too Far (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Maggio (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and dropped to rear entering straight, no extra in 5th after 3 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 6, 9l behind Rigour Back Bob (11-8) at Navan 2m 4f hdl G2 (1) sft in Dec.
Ursus 9-1 (8-11) Mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened entering final furlong, 7th of 12, 8l behind Fashion Icon (8-8) at Catterick 5f hcp 0-65 (6) gs in Oct (flat).
Cool Baranca (GER) 40-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden before 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 13, 17l behind Silverlord (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Lambrini Lace (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear and raced wide, mistakes, weakened after 4 out, last of 13, well behind Silverlord (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Lesanda 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 3 out, weakened and lost 2nd place last 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Empress Orchid (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Cayo 40-1 (9-3) Chased leaders in 4th, soon pushed along, driven halfway, weakened 4f out, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Pass Muster (9-3) at Newcastle 1m 2f 3yo mdn aut (5) gf in May (flat).
Paddy Partridge 15-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, challenged after 6th, led 3 out, not fluent next, driven and stayed on well from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul beating Freedom Fire (11-3) by 6l, 6 ran.
Umverti 16-1 (9-9) Always in rear, 12th of 16, 13l behind Sharp Sovereign (9-1) at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-75 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
