in touch, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, mistake and ridden 4th, weakened 7th
towards rear, weakened after 2nd, pulled up after 6th
led to 3rd, weakened 7th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, led approaching last, driven clear flat
mid-division, ridden and chased leader 3 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, one pace after
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on to go 3rd last
chased leader, led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra
prominent, weakened 8th
mid-division, ridden 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 3 out, tailed off
in touch, ridden 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
always towards rear, no impression
mid-division, ridden 8th, soon weakened
Major Malarkey made a mockery of the handicapper last time at Ludlow and the 7lb mandatory penalty should not be enough to anchor him. On the evidence of his Ludlow victory, the selection had been campaigned in novice hurdles with handicaps in mind and he looks a likely candidate that could rack up a sequence. Aberdeen Park has returned to the track bang in form from a twelve month absence and Venetia Williams' mare is the danger to Major Malarkey. She is another that won with alot in hand last time while Poppy Maroon is up 8lb after finishing second over course and distance, when her rider mistoke the winning post. Wun Chai faces a stiff task at the weights on the evidence of their clash at Wincanton. A large field but it may not be as competitive as one thinks and Major Malarkey can land it.
Aberdeen Park 15-8fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, led approaching 2 out, hit, eased close home, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Phardessa (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Heynewboy 25-1 (11-1) Never fluent, mid-division until 5th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up in race won by River Indus (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 14, 29l behind Ballyboley (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Witness Run (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place before 6th, 9th of 12, well behind Gustavo (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Chuquicamata 25-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 12th of 20, well behind Sound Accord (11-0) at Newbury 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Golden Crew 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division until mistake and unseated rider in race won by Cave of The Giant (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Jan, 16 ran.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, led on bit after 4 out, clear 3 out, hit 2 out, not fluent last, pushed out, won at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Harbour Breeze (11-4) by 4l, 8 ran.
Wun Chai (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Always close up, challenged last, hard ridden flat to lead close home, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb beating Poppy Maroon (10-8) by 1/2l, 21 ran.
Water King (USA) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 5 out, soon chasing leaders, hit next, soon weakened, 14th of 19, 38l behind Lordsbridge (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Feb.
Wild Tonto (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Chased leaders until weakened over 3 out, 13th of 21, well behind Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Clifden Boy (IRE) 7-1 (10-11) Mid-division until weakened 9th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Commander Vic (11-1) at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Rudivale (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 21, 7l behind Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Poppy Maroon 8-1 (10-8) Led, hard ridden approaching last, eased and headed close home, 2nd of 21, 1/2l behind Wun Chai (10-10) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Palila 25-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Scots Dragoon (10-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Feb.
Micky Cole (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) Always behind, tailed off from 4 out, 10th of 17, well behind Sarrococca (11-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner before 2nd last, weakened last, 2nd of 16, 16l behind Jaunty Flight (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Reynards Return (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, brief effort 7th, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 43l behind Inghwung (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Arctic Glow 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 12l behind Abit Irish (11-7) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Taralina 28-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 8th of 17, well behind Tizzy Blue (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
La Cortezana 12-1 (10-9) Always in rear, 8th of 13, 30l behind Fair Dual (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
My Matilda 11-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, lost place and mistake 3rd, soon behind, 12th of 17, well behind Jigsaw Dancer (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
