raced keenly, soon led, ridden and headed narrowly after 3 out, regained lead next, ridden and stayed on flat
chased leaders to before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off 3 out
mid-dvision on inside, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in rear, struggling 6th, weakened and pulled up approaching 4 out
raced keenly, held up towards rear, headway into mid-division when blundered 5th, tracked leaders 6th, left 3rd 4 out, ridden and no impression approaching 2 out, weakened and lost 3rd last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 3rd last, no impression with leading pair
tracked leaders on outside, 3rd and every chance when fell 4 out
led early, tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up approaching last
mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off from next
towards rear, struggling 6th, weakened and pulled up approaching 4 out
tracked leaders on inside, challenged 4 out, led narrowly after next, headed 2 out, one pace when switched left approaching last, no extra flat
Badgers Cove weakened on his only start over today's trip but that was in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham and he's better judged on his latest run over 2m5f in very testing conditions here behind De Forgotten Man. He has a penalty for an earlier success at Ludlow but will still be difficult to beat. EMPEROR CHARLIE has always looked a stayer in the making, however, and proved just that when sent over 2m7f at Kelso in November, he stayed on stoutly to finish a very close fourth behind Torta Nel Cielo. This stamina test is just what's required and he can take this, though Pure Anticipation is another who should get competitive. Tim Vaughan's mare, who won a bumper at Uttoxeter on fast ground and a 2m7f novice hurdle at Fontwell, was well beaten when tackling 3m2f at Cheltenham last time but will find this much more to her liking. Belmore Baron has shown ability and is another who will appreciate a stamina test.
Badgers Cove (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Always prominent, led before 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 16, 1l behind De Forgotten Man (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Ballinhassig (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Always in rear, tailed off 4 out, 7th of 12, well behind Mister Hyde (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs.
Belmore Baron 100-1 (10-7) Held up mid-division and keen, outpaced 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 14, 18l behind Moon Indigo (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cloudy Joe (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, pressed leader until over 4f out, weakened 3f out, tailed off, 9th of 12, 48l behind Oscara Dara (11-6) at Southwell 2m Nat Hunt Flat (3-6yo) (AW) (6) std in Dec.
Emperor Charlie 33-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, kept on towards finish, 4th of 16, 1 1/4l behind Torta Nel Cielo (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Power Lord (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, headway approaching 3 out, weakened well before 2 out, 5th of 16, 32l behind De Forgotten Man (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Pure Anticipation (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Chased winner until mistake 4 out, weakened before 3 out, beaten when slightly hampered 2 out, went poor 4th close home, 4th of 9, 39l behind Aiteen Thirtythree (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Upham Atom 40-1 (10-11) Led until 3rd, pressed leader, led 7th, headed 9th, weakening when rider lost iron briefly after 2 out, 9th of 20, 41l behind Munlochy Bay (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Inkberrow Rose (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6th, weakened 3 out, mistake 2 out, 5th of 15, 30l behind Malindi Bay (11-2) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Iris Mary (IRE) 66-1 (10-2) Towards rear, headway 8th, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Kilmore West (11-0) at Worcester 3m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
Overnight Fame (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 18, 28l behind Silver Gypsy (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
