towards rear, slow 2nd, slightly closer 5 out, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, never nearer
tracked leaders, chased leaders, every chance when not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on well, but no threat late on
mid-division, struggling 5 out and ridden along, tailed off
led early stages, headed 3rd and chased leader, pressed leader 3 out and regained lead, 5-lengths clear last, comfortable close home
in rear, tailed off before 4 out
keen and close up, pulled his way to the lead at the 3rd, jumped boldly from the front until pressed 3 out, soon headed, no extra
in rear, tailed off before 4 out
mid-division, niggled along 4 out, responded well to pressure and pressed leader 3 out, disputing 2nd at both 2 out and last, stayed on run-in but no match for good winner
Gumball was a little novicey here on his chasing debut and, though he’ll learn from that, is facing some potentially-smart novices again in this. Cheddleton was very progressive over hurdles last season and has only raced five times in his career to date. Bold Plan has form here and was highly tried after winning at Haydock last November. Getaway Fred was out of his depth in the Ballymore at Cheltenham in March but looks a real chasing type and the same can be said of KING ROLAND. The latter has had wind surgery again since a beaten favourite in a Grade 2 hurdle at Cheltenham back in January but could be useful if connections have sorted out his breathing problems.
Bold Plan (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Towards rear most of way, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Cheddleton 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 6th, outpaced in 3rd when switched outside between last 2, soon ridden, edged right and kept on under pressure flat, no impression, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Clondaw Caitlin (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f (1) hvy in Feb.
Getaway Fred (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear on outside, struggling in rear 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) sft in Mar.
Gumball (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Raced freely, led, went clear after 4th, reduced lead 6th, joined 4 out, blundered and headed next, mistake and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 5, 17l behind Fusil Raffles (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gd in Sep.
Howling Milan (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up, carried out after 4th, at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
King Roland (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up in rear, headway on outside 2 out, led off last bend, headed last, held flat, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Harry Senior (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Leskinfere (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 11th, went 2nd 4 out, pushed along before next, ridden and lost 2nd after 3 out, chased leaders weakened well before next, 4th of 12, 28 3/4l behind Max Dynamo (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Ubetya (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven before 2 out, plugged on same pace, never troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Clondaw Caitlin (10-9) at Kelso 2m 2f (1) hvy in Feb.
