held up mid-division, pushed along after 5 out, soon chased leaders, weakened from 3 out
held up in rear, in 5th and ridden before last, soon left 3rd, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, mistake 5th, headway 5 out to chase leaders, led before 3 out, pressed when mistake and went slightly right and unseated rider last
held up in touch, in 3rd and ridden before last, soon left in lead, kept on well
led, headed before 4 out, left 2nd from last, kept on and held by winner
chased leader, led before 4 out, headed before 3 out, hampered and fell last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Gardefort returned to form at Ludlow last month and should go well again, despite a 9lb rise. But Bold Henry failed to cope with a 10lb hike in the weights last time having won at Cheltenham before that. FIRTH OF THE CLYDE has gone close off today's mark on a couple of occasions now, including at Newcastle three weeks ago. Malcolm Jefferson's charge is taken to confirm running with Indian Voyage and come out best in this, though Sa Suffit has slipped down the handicap and could go well.
Creepy (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Prominent until blundered 4th, soon behind, pulled up 9th, in a race won by Coneygree (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs Grade 1 (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Gardefort (FR) 11-4fav (10-12) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, went 2nd 5 out, poised to challenge next, led 3 out, 6 lengths clear when hit last, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec beating Arkaim (11-3) by 9l, 8 ran.
Bold Henry 11-4fav (11-0) Held up in rear, headway when not fluent and hampered 4 out, ridden when mistake 2 out, no impression, no extra last, 4th of 7, 20l behind Sew On Target (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Dec.
Firth Of The Clyde 10-3fav (11-12) In touch on outside, chased leading pair before 4 out, ridden and effort before last, kept on flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Habbie Simpson (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Kings Grey (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, in touch when hampered 5th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 10, 39l behind Bincombe (10-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Indian Voyage (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Pressed leader, led narrowly 8th to 5 out, regained narrow lead next, headed last, ridden and no extra flat, 4th of 7, 5l behind Habbie Simpson (10-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Sa Suffit (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Led, heded before 5 out, soon ridden and outpaced, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Stagecoach Pearl (10-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Dec.
Greywell Boy 7-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, every chance when blundered 3 out, rallied under pressure approaching last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Whispering Harry (10-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.