held up in rear, pulled hard, not fluent 2nd, headway 6th, challenged before 2 out, every chance last, no impression final 100 yards
mid-division, effort on outside before 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up towards rear, some headway after 3 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, led 4th until 3 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
in rear, struggling 6th, well behind 3 out
led until 4th, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, outpaced before 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
tracked leaders, led 3 out, stayed on flat, driven out
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
awkward 1st, mid-division after next, effort 3 out, 3rd and one pace before next, no impression, lost 3rd flat
Banyu was pulled up last time at Newbury but is better judged on a winning debut over timber at Ludlow. A decent sort on the level in France, he's respected but may struggle to handle the weight concession to Nicky Henderson's potentially exciting French Import, BLOODY MARY (NAP). A winner of five from six starts in NHF contests and of her sole hurdle outing, the daughter of Fragrant Mix has been ready to run for the Seven Barrows yard for a while and this looks a good starting point. Yet another French import, Lou Vert, has been off since last March when displaying plenty of promise and now has a first run for the champion trainer. He receives a healthy age allowance and must be included on any shortlist.
Banyu (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Pulled hard in mid-division, tracked leaders 2nd, led after next, blundered 4th, headed after 4 out, lost place and blundered 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Acajou Des Bieffes (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Prominent, driven 6th, lost place before 3 out, soon behind, tailed off, 13th of 14, dist behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Cougar Kid (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up on outside, not fluent 4th, last next, tailed off 6th, last of 9, dist behind Sunshine Corner (11-3) at Plumpton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Lift The Lid (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Led, jumped left at times, not fluent 5th or 6th, headed 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Mr Mix (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Mondello (GER) 66-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, modest 9th after 3 out, well beaten before next, 9th of 14, dist behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Present Times (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Stop The Press (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Rocknrobin (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) With leaders on outer, led narrowly after 3 out (usual 4 out), headed before last (usual 2 out), soon weakened, 5th of 6, dist behind Minella Charmer (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) hvy in Jan.
Zero Grand (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, not much room 5th, 7th and struggling after 3 out, 6th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Bloody Mary (FR) 2-1fav (10-5) won at Auteuil 2m 2f sft in Sep beating Belmix De Joy (10-5) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
The Big Mare 100-1 (10-11) In rear, not fluent 1st, 11th and well beaten after 3 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Allee Bleue (11-10) at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Lou Vert (FR) (10-3) 3rd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Choeur Du Nord (10-3) at Auteuil 1m 7f sft in Mar.
Trans Express (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Behind, headway from 2 out, never a threat, 5th of 13, 32l behind Gala Ball (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
