held up mid-division in 6th, headway and chased leaders in 3rd going to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up mid-division, in 6th approaching 3 out, one pace and no impression from next
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 4 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, weakened before next
led, hit 2 out, soon hard pressed and headed narrowly last, regained lead flat, kept on gamely
tracked leader, in 4th approaching 3 out and pushed along, kept on from 2 out, chased leading pair flat, no impression
held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, went 3rd and not fluent 3 out, ridden and led narrowly last, headed flat, kept on towards finish
prominent, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4th, challenging when jumped left 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, blundered 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, ridden and weakened after 4 out
Nordwind prefers the ground to be on the faster side of good and completed a hat-trick over timber last year. He has disappointed somewhat over fences since then but back over hurdles could be one for the frame places. Ahmedy has a decent record over jumps and could play a part but Dontpaytheferryman would prefer the ground to have plenty of cut in it to challenge. Degas Art has won some decent races on the flat and over jumps including a listed juvenile novices' hurdle earlier in his career. He has shown little in recent seasons but has tumbled down the ratings and is worth consideration. Maska Pony is 11lb higher than last time and looks too high in the weights as a result. Ashammar was a good winner at Sedgefield and his trainer has good results at this course but he gives weight away all round and preference is for SHADRACK. He is 11lb higher in the ratings than when last seen but progressively improved all through last term and if coming on during summer jumps training at his yard then he can take the race.
Ashammar (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway on inside to lead after 3 out, clear when hit last, easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Sep beating Fred Bojangals (10-12) by 11l, 8 ran.
Degas Art (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led, headed 5th, led again next, headed 2 out, weakened after last, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Ramsden Boy (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Apr.
Teenage Idol (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, jumped slow 2nd, in rear and mistake and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Shopfrontspecialst (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Sep, 8 ran.
Nordwind (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Led until 3 out, weakened 2 out, took remote 3rd latter stages, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov chs (4) gs in Sep.
Maska Pony (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway after 3rd, led 3 out, driven when pressed approaching last, stayed on gamely, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep beating All For The Cause (11-12) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 13-2 (11-4) Led until 7th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 9, 25l behind Cubism (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Sep.
Amazing King (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) In touch, challenged after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 7th of 17, 12l behind Palomar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Sep.
Shadrack (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Prominent, led approaching 2nd, driven and not fluent 2 out, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Mountskip (10-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Ahmedy (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, chased winner after 3rd until mistake last, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 18l behind Issaquah (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Oakapple Express 40-1 (10-7) Mid-division, not fluent, lost place after 2nd, in rear 8th, pulled up before 9th, in a race won by Markington (11-3) at Aintree 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jun, 16 ran.
Crosby Jemma 40-1 (10-10) In rear, 8th and some headaway last, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 12l behind Nether Stream (10-0) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Sep.
Farmers Cross (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, effort on outer approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 44l behind Jeu De Roseau (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Sep.
