bumped 1st, chased leader, led approaching 4th, headed approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace before last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace before last
soon pushed along in rear, never a factor
mid-division, some headway approaching 4 out, weakened next
mid-division, blundered and weakened 4th, tailed when pulled up approaching 2 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace from last
in touch, went 2nd 3 out, led on bit approaching 2 out easily
mid-division, mistake and lost place 4th, stayed on again from 2 out
always in rear, ridden and struggling after 4th
mid-division, ridden 4th, soon behind
always behind, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next
always in rear, tailed off
behind until fell 4th
always towards rear
jumped right 1st, led to 4th, stayed prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened after 4th
Nonrunner
MILTON DES BIEFFES is one of only a couple that come into this race in any sort of form and gets the nod ahead of Darksideofthemoon and Grand Article. One or two of these are unexposed and it will be well worth keeping an eye on the likes of Dan Tucker, Custers Last Stand and Waarid but they have enough to prove even allowing for the modest company. San Antonio enters calculations having stayed on quite well at Ludlow last time but he's only finished in the money once over hurdles so hasn't been easy to catch right. That can't be said of Grand Article who has run the best two races of his short career at Doncaster on his last two starts; the ground was different on both occasions and he should be in the mix if transferring that form to this track. Darksideofthemoon went up by 8lbs for finishing second to a revitalised winning plater at Sandown but the pair were clear of the field. He may just have needed a bit of time to come to himself and could build on the run. Milton Des Bieffes scored three times in as many runs in as many weeks back in 2006/7 but went another ten runs without success prior to popping up over fences at Stratford. He races from a 9lb lower mark back over timber and gained his sole victory over hurdles at this track from a 9lb lower mark as well. Connections have employed the services of one of the leading conditionals and everything is in place for Milton Des Bieffes to run a big race.
Darksideofthemoon (IRE) 15-2 (9-11) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed bypassing last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Stance (10-4) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Webbswood Lad (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway approaching 4th, weakened before 3 out, 14th of 16, 44l behind Gainsborough's Art (10-4) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Grand Article (IRE) 13-2fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 5l behind Alfloramoor (11-1) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf in Feb.
Andy Gin (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Held up, headway after 2nd, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 14l behind Captain Tidds (11-4) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Miss Pebbles (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until ridden and weakened quickly before 2 out, 12th of 14, 28l behind Stance (10-4) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Titfer (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Held up, weakened from 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Noticeable (11-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Waarid 11-4 (10-12) Held up, ridden after 4 out, plugged on, never on terms, 4th of 11, 12l behind Dontpaytheferryman (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov sll hdl (4) gs in Dec.
No Supper (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 18l behind Wondersobright (10-13) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb.
San Antonio 12-1 (10-4) Towards rear, stayed on from 3 out, not troubled leaders, 5th of 15, 8l behind Forty Five (10-7) at Ludlow 2m ldy hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Backlash 16-1 (9-7) Chased leaders until lost place 5th, struggling soon after 2 out, 6th of 9, 19l behind Spring Dream (10-10) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Mega Steps (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Led, headed 4th, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Agglestone Rock (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Custers Last Stand (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway to track leaders 2nd, weakened after 3rd, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Belcantista (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Weststern (GER) 7-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, driven after 3 out, plugged on but never a factor, 6th of 15, 37l behind She's No Muppet (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl (5) gs in Jan.
The Grandchild (IRE) 25-1 (10-3) Behind, headway 6th, pushed along after next, weakened when hit 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Lady Pilot (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Pivolant (FR) 200-1 (10-5) Held up, not fluent 4th, ridden, in touch after 7th, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 7, well behind Tot Of The Knar (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f nov hdl (3) hvy in Aug.
Mapledurham (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, blundered 1st, mistake 5th, plodded past beaten horses from 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 18, well behind Moonlight Music (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 20-1 (9-11) Made all, challenged from last, held on, all out, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Michigan d'Isop (10-12) by a nk, 12 ran.
Star Berry 16-1 (9-8) Mid-division, mistake 4th, headway 6th, driven after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 11l behind Calgary Jock (11-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Aug.
Royale Rag (FR) 66-1 (11-9) Mid-division, reminders from 4th, weakened 8th, 11th of 19, well behind Wychwoods Legend (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Dan Tucker 100-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 12th of 14, 50l behind Clova Island (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
