mid-division, blundered and lost place 3rd, last 13th, blundered next, soon pulled up
towards rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 10th, headway before 16th, not fluent 18th, outpaced when not fluent 3 out, rallying when mistake 2 out, rider nearly off and lost both irons (did well to stay on), unable to recover, weakened last
prominent, lost place 7th, ridden and struggling before 14th, behind 17th
jumped right at times, prominent, lost a few places before 6th, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, clear flat, stayed on well
tracked leaders, challenged after 2nd, led 5th, headed when mistake 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace
led until 5th, prominent, ridden before 16th, mistake 18th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 13th, some headway when jumped left and not fluent 16th, no impression, struggling from next
in touch in mid-division, closed after 5th, not fluent 7th, outpaced 18th, weakened before 2 out
ridden along throughout, in rear, closed after 12th, lost place before 16th, plugged on before 2 out, never on terms
Nonrunner
Handsome Buddy tries to repeat last year's victory in this off a 7lb higher mark but might not enjoy the heavy ground. Brave Buck hasn't raced since successful on his chasing debut at Hexham in November but Emma Soda looks fairly treated on her fifth in the Devon National at Exeter earlier this month as she's won off a higher mark over track and trip off a higher mark in the past. Always Bold was in good form before unseating his rider last time but Bally Braes is probably high enough in the weights at present and Mr McGregor keeps finding one too good. THE LAST BRIDGE is only a couple of pounds higher than when second over 3m2f here in November. He has form on a heavy surface and Richard Johnson to do the steering so can confirm Southwell running with Dixie Bull and land this.
Brave Buck 9-4fav (11-12) Made most, mistake 3 out, ridden before last, pressed run-in, found extra, game, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Apache Pilot (9-7) by hd, 7 ran.
Bally Braes (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent 4th, driven 14th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 6, 10l behind Gentle George (11-6) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Always Bold (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Tracked leading pair, 2nd before 8th (water) until 11th, chased leading pair, driven and struggling before 4 out, no chance when tired and stumbled 2 out, blundered and unseated rider at the last, in a race won by Red Devil Lads (10-12) at Exeter 3m Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-120) (5yo+) (4) hvy, 5 ran.
Emma Soda 16-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, mistake 12th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and no extra before the last, 5th of 13, 15l behind Catching On (11-11) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Mr Mcgregor (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leaders, reminders 11th, left 2nd 3 out, kept on, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Red Anchor (10-1) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs.
The Last Bridge 11-2 (11-7) Hampered 1st, in rear, pushed along 7th, headway 10th, ridden after 12th, soon outpaced and lost place, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Hi Vic (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Dixie Bull (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Hampered 1st, in rear, pushed along after 9th, headway 11th, ridden 13th, struggling when blundered 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Hi Vic (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Volio Vincente (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Mid-division, towards rear and reminders 8th, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Paddy The Oscar (11-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Cheat The Cheater (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, weakened rapidly 8th, behind when mistake 10th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 34l behind Paddy The Oscar (11-9) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Handsome Buddy (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up, outpaced and behind 3 out, kept on, 4th of 7, 41l behind Capard King (11-8) at Fakenham 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
