jumped poorly in rear, went left 5th, soon lost touch, struggling when went left next, tailed off and pulled up soon after
tracked leaders and always going well, led on bit 2 out, clear before last, easily
led, hit 3 out, headed soon after, weakened before next, left poor 3rd last
chased leader until jumped slowly 1st, went 2nd again next until before 4th, definite 2nd again 6th until before 2 out, soon not pace of leading pair, joined for modest 3rd when mistake and unseated rider last
took keen hold, soon chased leaders, went 2nd before 4th until 6th, went 2nd again after 3 out, led briefly before 2 out, chased winner after, well held and no chance before last
prominent until lost place after 3rd, stayed in touch until outpaced after 3 out, no chance when hit next, left poor 4th last, tailed off
ESCUDERO had some decent form in maiden hurdles in Ireland in the autumn and should win this if anywhere near fully fit following a lay-off, though he's never raced on ground this fast before. Polmar, winner of a valuable handicap chase at Punchestown last spring, has been a big disappointment since arriving at Jamie Snowden's yard but this is a lot less competitive than the races he normally contests. The eight-year-old can't be ignored and may be a bigger threat than Hereford runner-up Before The War and winning pointer Tork To Me.
Cladding 33-1 (10-11) Took keen hold, tracked leader, hung left and lost place after 7f, behind 6f out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Buck Magic (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) gf in Oct.
Escudero (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Led, slight mistake 5 out, hung off bend before 4 out, driven along and strongly pressed from before 3 out, headed and dropped to 4th 2 out, no extra, 4th of 11, 19l behind Stay (10-11) at Tramore 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Jan.
Polmar (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 10th, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Songe (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
Tork To Me (IRE) 4-5 (12-0) Led 6-9; sust chall 2 out; no ex cl home, 2nd of 3, nk behind Pastek (12-0) at Badbury Rings 3m ptp fm in Apr.
Before The War (USA) 22-1 (10-1) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, chased winner when not fluent 2 out, stayed on, always being held, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Countess Susy (10-2) at Hereford 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Poetic Beat 50-1 (10-5) Raced wide, chased winner until before 2nd, stayed close up, went 3rd at 7th until soon after 3 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off, 4th of 5, dis behind Miss Overdrive (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
