tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, took keen hold, pecked 1st, pushed along after 6th, hung left after 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
in rear, not fluent 6th, lost touch after 6th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, headway after 6th, went 4th 2 out, no impression on leaders, one pace
took keen hold, led, ridden and headed 2 out, 3rd and stayed on same pace last
prominent, lost place 5th, blundered next, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside when blundered 6th, soon ridden and lost place, 5th and no chance with leaders when mistake and unseated rider last
held up in mid-division, not fluent 2nd or 5th, no impression approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in touch, took keen hold, closed after 6th, led 2 out, clear last, eased towards finish
Aintree winner Midnight Opera looks worth opposing on his first start since November, while Rayon Vert has an even longer absence to overcome. Robin Will could find this on the sharp side having finished fourth over 2m6f here in January but Tom O'Tara has been knocking on the door over 2m this season and seems sure to be in the firing-line again. Ajman may have needed last month's run at Taunton and is another to consider but Charlie Longsdon's four-year-old BUN OIR may be worth another chance now going handicapping. He hasn't built on his second at Punchestown in three runs in this country but this is arguably his easiest task to date.
Midnight Opera 12-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, led 2 out, about 3 lengths clear when not fluent last, ridden and pressed flat, held on near finish, won at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov beating Brother Bob (11-8) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Robin Will (FR) 10-1 (11-6) Steadied start, raced keenly in rear, slightly hampered 5th, headway on inside 8th, outpaced last, ridden and one pace when hung left flat, no impression, 4th of 10, 10l behind Ballabriggs (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Aragall (GER) 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, stayed on to go well beaten 3rd between last 2, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 15, 36l behind Smad Place (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Forest Rhythm (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, went 4th flat, stayed on, nearest finish, 4th of 16, 7l behind Minnie Hill (10-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Tom O'Tara 10-1 (10-6) Went left 1st, chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, went right 2 out, soon no chance, went right again last, 2nd of 10, 13l behind Bally Legend (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Ajman (IRE) 10-1 (10-8) In rear, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, well behind Highway Code (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gd in Feb.
No To Trident 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, challenged going well 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 13, 30l behind Dune Shine (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Rayon Vert (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, stayed on steadily from 3 out, but never in contention, 5th of 10, 20l behind Skint (10-12) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Nov.
Bun Oir (USA) 11-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, progress from 3 out to take 4th approaching 2 out, never in contention, 4th of 11, 24l behind Non Dom (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
The Cayterers 8-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, tracked leader, led 3 out, headed before next, soon ridden and one pace, weakened last, 7th of 11, 22l behind Mark of Love (10-9) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gd in Nov.
