behind, struggling 6th, never dangerous
mid-division, headway and in touch 6th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace flat
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, 8th and beaten when mistake next, behind when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent on inside, went 2nd before 2 out, led between last 2, ridden and stayed on flat
led, hit 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened from next
mid-division on outside, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, benind when pulled up before next
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, pushed along 6th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, 7th and ridden 3 out, stayed on to go 3rd next, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading pair
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
behind, struggling 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, soon ridden, never on terms
with leader, not fluent 7th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, soon lost place, weakened next
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, 5th and beaten when mistake next
IRISH LEGEND is very interesting back over hurdles and, as he has a more solid profile than Shore Thing and Aldiruos, the Bernard Llewellyn-trained gelding is a solid partner for Sam Twiston-Davies as he bids to continue the bright start made to his professional riding career. The selection had struggled to find his form over fences before showing more of his old sparkle when reverting to timber at Stratford last month. The winner of that race followed up (admittedly in controversial circumstances) at Newton Abbot last week; giving the form a sound boost in respect to this similar event. Shore Thing has a bit to find on a literal reading of recent performances and would never be one to trust wholeheartedly. However, this is the right grade for him and he is at least capable of putting up a fight if he is in the right frame of mind. Aldiruos stays well and has claims on the pick of his efforts. Still, he doesn't do anything quickly and Sam Thomas will need to keep his mount focused if he is going to reverse recent trends. The ex-Irish Killowenabbey along with Highest Esteem are others worth noting in the betting and hold feasible chances of making the frame. Nevertheless, this appears to be a good bit of placement for Irish Legend and the 10-year-old is forwarded as the best bet in Towcester's opener.
Aldiruos (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Behind, reminders 8th, never dangerous, 9th of 11, well behind Knighton Combe (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Irish Legend (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, soon chasing winner, no impression after 3 out, 2nd of 9, 25l behind Tabaran (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Highest Esteem 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders to before 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Along The Nile (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Mar, 11 ran.
Shore Thing (IRE) 3-1fav (12-1) Mid-division, outpaced when not fluent 8th, soon ridden, went remote 4th briefly 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 11, 25l behind Along The Nile (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd in Mar.
Wee Forbees (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Always behind, 7th of 10, 38l behind Tribe (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Killowenabbey (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Prominent, pecked 4th, 5th when slight mistake 5 out, weakened from after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Tinakellylad (11-12) at Clonmel 2m 4f beg chs hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Poacher's Dream (IRE) 20-1 (12-5) Ur 8, in a race won by Port Talbot (12-5) at Siddington 3m ptp gd in Mar, 7 ran.
Double Tangle 28-1 (10-12) Prominent, lost place when not fluent 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 10, dis behind Penylan Star (11-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, reminders after 7th, soon lost lost place, tailed off, 4th of 9, 39l behind Tabaran (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Spiritonthemount (USA) 50-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, pushed along approaching 7th, weakened next, 5th of 10, 46l behind Aberdale (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd.
The Iron Giant (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) In tch til outpcd 3 out, 5th of 10, 37l behind Coleraine (12-0) at Marks Tey 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Sparkling Montjeu (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, under pressure after 3rd, soon no impression, 9th of 11, 16l behind Extreme Conviction (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Little Blackbeetle 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 9, 42l behind Tabaran (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f sell hdl (5) sft in Mar.
Utern 11-1 (10-9) Held up, weakened approaching 7th, pulled up next, in a race won by Meet Me At Dawn (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
