held up in touch, took keen hold, closed after 5th, not fluent next, led 2 out, headed on extended run-in, one pace
held up in rear, ridden and weakened before 2 out, mistake last
held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, soon closed, mistake 3 out, went 3rd before last, challenged on extended run-in, held final 150 yards, plugged on
tracked leaders on outside, challenged after 2 out, led on extended run-in, all out
held up in touch, closed after 5th, outpaced 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leader, ridden and lost place after 6th, weakened before 2 out
led, headed 2 out, weakened on extended run-in
Marlee Massie bids for a hat-trick after his latest win at Newcastle but has a 10lb hike in the weights to contend with. PRET A THOU is preferred as the veteran posted a decent effort over these hurdles when second to Catchin Time last month and can race off the same mark today. Old Magic was placed at Newcastle in between a couple of poor efforts while Izzy Piccolina was well beaten last time having finished second at Stratford earlier.
Pret A Thou (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Catchin Time (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Izzy Piccolina (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 33 1/4l behind Boherna Lady (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Zayfire Aramis 25-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on inside travelling well before 3 out, mistake and weakened next, 5th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Its A Long Road (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Marlee Massie (IRE) Evensfav (10-11) Held up off the pace in 6th, headway 5th, chasing leaders 4 out, ridden and went 3rd between last two, led run-in, idled near finish but always doing enough, won at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Maybe I Wont (11-11) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Rock of Ages 50-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until next, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Sussex Road (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, last of 14, dist behind Olympian Boy (11-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Old Magic (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked winner to 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 35l behind Hassadin (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
