chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, led before next, clear when drifted left last, driven right out
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, no impression on winner from next, one pace
prominent, ridden and jinked about just before 3 out, outpaced approaching next, stayed on flat
mid-division, headway on inside after 7th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
always behind, losing touch 6th
chased leaders, steadied after 2nd, not fluent 5th, effort 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear, well behind from 6th
led, not fluent 5th, ridden before 3 out, headed approaching next, no impression on winner, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway on outside from 7th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, fell last
held up towards rear, just about in touch 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened after 3 out
prominent until 7th, weakened after 3 out
Considering the ability he showed on the Flat, Amour de Nuit has been a disappointment over hurdles and finished behind Blue Comet at Ludlow in January. Chato is preferred to fellow bumper winner Flying Shadow and should have a future over hurdles but The Mighty Ash was probably flattered by his run behind Casper King at Exeter. Minella Style looks a chaser in the making while Treasure The Ridge is looking long in the tooth to resume a hurdling career. SPIRITOFTHEGAMES has run well in much tougher races than this since winning an Ayr maiden in October. It will be a surprise if he’s not good enough to defy his penalty.
Spiritofthegames (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 7th, ridden between last two, went went left last, 2nd run-in, kept on same pace, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Doesyourdogbite (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Amour de Nuit (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Prominent, ridden and weakened from 2 out, 7th of 11, 24l behind Seymour Star (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Blue Comet 16-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden after 2 out, kept on and went 4th from last, no impression, 4th of 11, 17 1/4l behind Seymour Star (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Chato (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden 2f out, soon outpaced, plugged on, 7th of 12, 12 1/4l behind Western Ryder (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
Equleus 200-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway before 2 out, soon no extra, blundered last, last of 8, 25 1/2l behind Sir Antony Browne (11-2) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) hvy in Feb.
Flying Shadow (GER) 7-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, 2nd 7f out, ridden 4f out, lost 2nd over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Royal Village (11-0) at Southwell 2m (6) gs in Nov.
Kristjano (GER) 100-1 (11-4) Mid-division, slow 3rd, pushed along after 6th, closed 3 out, ridden and no impression before next, 6th of 9, 20l behind Percy Street (10-7) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Jan.
Minella Style (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Held up in last pair, headway on outside tracking leaders 7f out, went 2nd over 5f out until well over 1f out, chased leading pair until edged left over 1f out, plugged on inside final furlong, went 3rd again towards finish, no chance with winner, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Appy Days (10-11) at Lingfield 2m (6) pol in Nov.
Stealing Mix 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, never involved, well held 2 out, 6th of 10, 25 1/4l behind Air Horse One (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
Treasure The Ridge (IRE) 100-1 (8-10) In touch, chased leaders halfway, lost place over 2f out, 10th of 11, 17 3/4l behind Haines (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
Apalis (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Raced wide, in rear, some headway approaching 5th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out, at Lingfield 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Sheelbewhatsheelbe (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Towards rear in well strung out field, plugged on before 2 out, never any chance, 6th of 14, dist behind Mohaayed (11-3) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Top Of The Rocks (FR) 250-1 (10-7) Mid-division, some headway 4th, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 13, dist behind Mr Clarkson (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
The Mighty Ash (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Led, headed narrowly before 2nd, stayed upsides, led 5th, headed before 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Casper King (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
