close up, hampered 4th, ridden and weakened 4 out
in touch, headway 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
made all, clear 9th, unchallenged
towards rear, behind when pulled up 9th
tracked leaders, bumped by loose horse and unseated rider 4th
towards rear, headway 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked winner, ridden 3 out, plugged on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
held up well in rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden and headway to go poor 3rd 2 out, kept on to go 2nd towards finish
prominent, not fluent and unseated rider 1st
towards rear, ridden 9th, slow and tailed off 11th, pulled up soon after
in touch, mistake 5th/11th, weakened 4 out, pulled up last
Cudgel has won twice over hurdles this season and has placed twice over fences in four attempts. However, he unseated his rider at the first last time at Musselburgh so confidence may be an issue. LUCA BRASI’S BOY ran his best race over hurdles last time at Catterick. He has a point-to-point background so a switch to chasing should suit. Hitman Fred also makes his chasing bow but has won between the flags so he may have more scope than the likes of Road Warrior and Epsom Des Mottes.
McCrackens Gate (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Ridden handy, relegated to midfield turning for home, ridden towards near side over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Set In Stone (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Liar's Dice (IRE) 18-1 (11-7) Midfield, ridden after 8th, ridden and lost touch 10th, tailed off after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Road Warrior 4-1 (11-4) Raced freely, with leader, led 3f out, soon headed, weakened from 2f out, last of 7, 28 1/2l behind Brotherly Company (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Kings Cave (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and lost touch 5 out, finished in own time, 8th of 14, dist behind Trimmers Lane (10-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Epsom Des Mottes (FR) 9-1 (11-12) Disputed lead early, headed 4th, led again 7th, mistake 4 out, lost position 3 out, lost third after last, 4th of 9, dist behind Sigurd (11-1) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Monte Alban (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Midfield, ridden 3f out, gradually weakened form over 2f out, 9th of 14, 9 3/4l behind Burbank (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Hitman Fred (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden to chase leader over 2f out, close up entering final furlong, kept on but no match for winner close home, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Mackenberg (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
Cudgel 7-1 (10-11) Went left and unseated rider 1st, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Luca Brasi's Boy (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Prominent, chased leader 2 out (usual 3 out), closed gap on winner at last, rallied on run-in but no match for winner, 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Cilluirid (10-13) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Nettlebush (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, mistake 1st and 8th, well beaten before 3 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Casimir Du Clos (10-9) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Marvellous Joe (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, not fluent 5th, pushed along to keep touch after 6th, soon ridden, weakened and pulled up before 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
