tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway 4 out, pushed along next, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out
keen tracked leader, pushed along 3 out, soon outpaced
tracking leader when landed awkwardly and unseated rider 1st
led, hampered by loose horse 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced by easy winner
held up in touch in rear, headway 3 out, led approaching next, soon clear, comfortable
NonRunner
NonRunner
Lord Roccoco won at Sedgefield on Boxing Day and today’s conditional negates a 6lb rise in the weights. But it could pay to stick with OSTUNI in this given Paul Nicholl’s charge scored with plenty in hand at Fontwell a fortnight ago having won the same race last year when partnered by Bryony Frost. This is tougher than the race won by Ladronne at Newcastle last time but I'm Wiser Now has placed in maiden hurdles recently. Alrightjack has had a wind operation since last in action and is also fitted with a tongue-tie today while Irish Odyssey is the least exposed having unseated early on at Huntingdon on his handicap debut.
Alrightjack (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Always behind, never a factor, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Boss Man Fred (11-2) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, prominent, not fluent 6th or 7th, lost place when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Secrete Stream (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Lord Roccoco (FR) 8-1 (11-10) Made virtually all, ridden after 2 out, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Enfin Phil (11-6) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Ostuni (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Raced wide in mid-division, good headway chasing leaders 7th, 2nd before 4 out, led going well 2 out, 1 length ahead when hit last, driven edged left and stayed on well run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating The Raven's Return (11-9) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
I'm Wiser Now (IRE) 2-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, led 1st, mistake 7th, not fluent 4 out, hanging left when not fluent 3 out, went left 2 out, still hanging badly left and virtually un-rideable, headed before last, hung left to stands rail after last, jockey lost right iron, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Oscar Asche (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Ladronne (FR) 15-8fav (11-13) Held up and behind, switched right before not fluent 3 out, closed a little after 2 out, not fluent and still plenty to do last, ridden final 100 yards and finished with a flourish to lead close home, won at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Taras Day (10-11) by nk, 9 ran.
Irish Odyssey (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, hampered and unseated rider after 4th, at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Liar's Dice (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) In rear, no impression when hung right from 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Glorious Lady (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f (4) sft in Feb.
