chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 2 out, no extra in 3rd approaching last
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, strongly pressed last, ridden and stayed on, headed post
pressed leader, led approaching 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, lost 4th last
held up in touch, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to modest 4th last
held up in rear, smooth headway on inside to 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd before last, soon challenging, stayed on to lead post
in touch, not fluent 3rd, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, held up in last pair, ridden and weakened after 3 out
led, headed 3rd, lost 2nd next, lost place approaching 4 out, soon behind, tailed off
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
DARK SHADOW is a lightly-raced type with scope who had a bit in hand when landing a novice hurdle at Ludlow. This is tougher but time may prove he's been let in lightly for his handicap debut. Ray Diamond last ran over timber in November and was well beaten on the Flat at Kempton last month but Headly's Bridge bounced back to form at Wincanton last week though that was over 2m4f on ground with some give. Irish Guard is a chaser returning after a long absence but Dzesmin ran his best race for a very long time when close up at Newcastle in December and he won't mind the quicker conditions.
Hoback Junction (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened 6th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Tenor Nivernais (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Trip The Light 33-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden along after 4th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, 30l behind Charm School (11-7) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd.
Ray Diamond 7-2fav (11-2) Chased leading pair, led 2 out, ridden and joined last, headed and not quicken final 150 yards, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind First Avenue (11-9) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Chicklemix 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra flat, 4th of 5, 3l behind Justazippy (11-12) at Doncaster 2m mares hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Headly's Bridge (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 6th, led before 2 out, headed flat, held close home, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Opening Batsman (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Cydonia (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Dark Shadow (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gd.
Dzesmin (POL) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, held when lost 3rd post, 4th of 13, 1 1/4l behind King's Chorister (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Spare Me 28-1 (11-2) Led 1st, headed 3rd, chased winner until hit 3 out, weakened soon after, 10th of 11, 20l behind Buckie Boy (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Dark Shadow 5-4fav (11-1) Tracked leader, led before 3 out, kept on well, driven out, won at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gd beating Call Back (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Callisto Moon 9-2 (10-6) Sometimes jumped left and not always fluent, held up in 5th, mistake 4th, ridden after 8th, outpaced by leaders before 4 out, no impression, hit 3 out, left 3rd when mistake and badly hampered 2 out, 3rd of 5, 30l behind Trooper Clarence (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) fm in Oct.
Leopard Hills (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out, 7th of 12, 31l behind Ted Spread (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Irish Guard 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leading pair, lost pl;ace when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, last of 4, well behind Kikos (11-12) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Apr.
