in touch, blundered 9th and lost place, blundered and unseated rider 11th
badly hampered 1st, soon well behind, pulled up after last
led 3rd, jumped left throughout, hard ridden after 3 out, headed after last, no extra
mid-division, headway from 12th, ridden, chased leader from 3 out, led after last, driven out
towards rear, ridden 6th, lost touch 9th
fell 1st
held up towards rear, ridden, headway 10th, mistake 11th and 12th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 10th, soon weakened
chased leader until blundered and unseated rider 3rd
mid-division when fell 5th
held up in mid-division, ridden, headway after 4 out, challenged approaching 2 out, no extra from last
prominent, ridden, chased leaders 12th, hit 3 out, weakened after
led until mistake, headed 3rd, in touch until weakened 7th, pulled up before 10th
mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 2 out
Stavordale Lad gained a deserved first success when landing a maiden chase at Leicester earlier this month and has surprisingly been left unchanged on a mark of 110 back in a handicap so gets the vote to follow up at the main expense of Misty Future and Matthew Muroto. The last mentioned has shown gradual improvement of late and has to be respected although he has yet to prove himself over today's trip. Stablemate Even More has claims on the form shown when second to Nas Na Riogh at Exeter last month but has twice disappointed since then, while Tiger Tips Lad needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. Treasulier deserves to get his head in front but lack of a previous win is of some concern, while Miss Mailmit unseated on his return and could be of interest representing the yard of Jim Old. The Venetia Williams-trained Misty Future disappointed at Towcester last time but has solid claims on earlier form and has to be considered; however, the vote goes to Stavordale Lad who looks to be progressing the right way at present.
Misty Future 7-2fav (11-11) Held up, headway after 11th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 15l behind Lord Broadway (9-13) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Stavordale Lad (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Prominent, led 10th, hit 12th and 13th, clear when not fluent last, easily, won at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gd beating Joe Mchugh (11-0) by 12l, 7 ran.
Even More (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, pushed along 13th, weakened after 17th, 6th of 13, 19l behind Florida Dream (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Tiger Tips Lad (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Towards rear, headway after 9th, weakened 4 out, 9th of 15, 24l behind Glacial Delight (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jan.
Treasulier (IRE) 12-1 (10-3) Prominent, chased leader 14th, left 2nd 4 out, kept on well from 3 out, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Florida Dream (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Hit 1st, held up, steady headway 7th, ridden 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 9l behind He's The Gaffer (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Miss Mailmit 15-2 (10-9) Towards rear when blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Precious Bane (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Wild Oats 20-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden and chased leader 4 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 12l behind Cruising River (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (D) gd in Dec.