chased leaders, mistake 5th, not fluent next, ridden before 3 out, jumped left and not fluent last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
chased leaders on outside, reached at 3rd, lost place before 5th, slow next, behind 9th
chased leaders, lost place 9th, rallied after 3 out, 4th when blundered 2 out, well held after
prominent, led 3rd, headed 7th, led next, not fluent 4 out, headed 3 out, no impression on winner from last, lost 2nd towards finish
planted, then went left and lost about 8 lengths start, behind, closed steadily from 4th, ridden 4 out, not fluent 3 out, no extra next
led until 3rd, led 7th, headed next, led 3 out, clear flat, comfortably
never convinced with his jumping, always behind
Poker School is back on a winning mark but his form tailed off at the end of last year and he may need this. Dogon is not really improving and Youracert was beaten more than 10 lengths behind surprise winner LORD CONDI here earlier in the month. Victory that day may have been a turning point for Martin Keighley’s novice, who is still well treated on the pick of his hurdles form despite a 5lb rise. Tikkinthebox beat two subsequent winners at Uttoxeter so is much respected even though he has 7lb more to carry here.
Poker School (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair, good headway chasing leaders 12th, went 2nd after 13th until before 3 out, weakened into 4th 2 out, 4th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Keep Moving (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Brave Dancing 40-1 (11-4) Last pair, mistake 8th, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Youracert (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, 3rd and one pace from 3 out, weakened into 4th next, 4th of 7, 10 1/2l behind Lord Condi (10-13) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leader from 2nd, led 4th, blundered 5th, jumped left 3 out, in command from next, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Little Stevie (11-4) by 4 1/4l, 9 ran.
Lord Condi (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Mostly jumped well, tracked leader, challenged 4 out, led before next, clear when hit 2 out, ridden out, won at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul beating Thibault (11-5) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Dogon 11-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, some headway when pecked 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Monsieur D'Arque (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Uno Mas 20-1 (11-8) Behind, mistake 2nd, slow 6th, tailed off 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Tim Rocco (10-13) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
