held up in rear, detached after 6th, tailed off 8th
chased leaders, slightly hampered 1st, not fluent 8th, went second next, ridden to chase winner before 3 out, soon no extra, kept on but no match for easy winner
took keen hold, midfield, headway to go fourth after 9th, lost fourth before 3 out, made no impression
towards rear, went fourth approaching 3 out, never in contention
towards rear, jumped left 4th, nudged along after 6th, lost touch next, tailed off 9th, pulled up 3 out
close up, slow 1st, pushed along and lost place 9th, held when mistake last
made all, went clear approaching 3 out, went further clear next, canter
chased leaders, hit 8th, weakened quickly after next
NonRunner
Though third here on Boxing Day, Visite Officielle blotted her copybook by refusing to race at Hexham earlier this month. Fergal O’Brien’s yard is enjoying another record-breaking season and POUGNE AMINTA should add to their tally having found only one too good on her hurdling debut at Southwell. Heneryetta Bay didn’t show much on her first run under Rules but bumper winner Bridget Breeze was third tackling hurdles for the first time at Ayr. Elmley Lovett is bred for stamina but may need this.
Blooming Fortune (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, finished a long way detached, last of 8, dist behind Forcing Bull (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
Bridget Breeze (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway tracking leaders 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on well from last for 3rd, 3rd of 9, 8 3/4l behind Windtothelightning (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f (4) gd in Mar.
Elmley Lovett (IRE) Elusive Pimpernel M out of Blue Bell Walk.
Heneryetta Bay (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) On her toes, chased leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced home turn, weakened soon after, 7th of 8, dist behind Houi Cherie (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
Not Your Choice 80-1 (10-10) Mid-division, stumbled 5th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Little Mo (10-10) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Ol'river Shine (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Led until the last (normal 3 out) chased leading pair, outpaced home turn, weakened into 4th extended run-in, 4th of 10, 18 3/4l behind Hermino Aa (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Pougne Aminta (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Led, joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last two, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Sedge Wren (11-11) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Feb.
Visite Officielle (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Refused to race, at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Mar.
All The Glory 11-1 (11-2) Mid-division, some headway after 3 out, outpaced approaching 2 out and no extra, pulled up before last, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
