held up, reminder after 7th, on and off bridle thereafter, driven after 12th, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on, not trouble front pair
held up in touch, went 3rd 12th, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, pushed along 7th, lost place approaching 12th, weakened 4 out
soon led, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, just held
tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th, led approaching 2 out, all out
Veteran Jacarado has won off higher marks around here and has been running well enough to suggest he can play a leading role again today. Hardwick Wood and Overton Lad are both returning from lay-offs and Wide Receiver's form has gone to pieces since he won over a longer trip at Fontwell in February. MIDNIGHT DIAMOND is still chasing a first win over fences but only went down by a short-head at Chepstow nine days ago and, though 7lb higher here, should still take all the beating.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 6-4fav (10-8) Held up, not fluent 8th, headway to lead 12th, headed approaching 5 out, not fluent and rallied 2 out, led approaching last, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Ethiopia (11-3) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Hardwick Wood 25-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 14, 28l behind Smokey George (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec.
Wide Receiver (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Prominent until lost place before 8th, soon towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Ilewin Tom (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Overton Lad 10-3 (10-6) Chased leader, blundered 6th, soon lost 2nd, jumped slowly and in rear 8th, last and struggling 10th, blundered 14th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Ukrainian Star (11-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Jacarado (IRE) 11-2 (9-10) Held up in touch and keen, hampered 9th, weakened next, 6th of 11, 24l behind Monty's Moon (10-7) at Southwell 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
