held up in touch, pushed along and outpaced under 3f out, soon held
close up early, chased leaders after 2nd, lost ground after 3rd and soon dropped to last, reminder after 6th, left behind under 3 out
led and took keen hold, disputed lead after 3rd, led again before 5th, pushed along and pressed after 2 out, ran on well flat
held up, reminder after 6th, headway after 3 out, ridden in 2nd over 2 out, challenged after 2 out, edged left flat but kept on
held up in touch, pushed along in 3rd over 2 out but plenty to do, kept on same pace from under 2 out
tracked leaders, raced freely, disputed lead after 3rd, tracked leader before 5th, weakened quickly over 2 out and soon pulled up
Merry Berry landed a double last summer when her only rival underperformed and she’s 14lb higher than an earlier success at Huntingdon. Sword Beach has the more recent winning form with a victory at Plumpton though faces tougher opposition today while Alrightjack was still well beaten when third at Sandown. Paul Nicholls and Jody Sole teamed-up to win this last year and a chance is taken BIRDS OF PREY returns to form in this lower grade having slid down the weights since last successful over hurdles. Charlie O’Shea has won this in the past and partners handicap debutant Langley Hundred while Hunting Percival is back on a winning mark.
Hunting Percival 22-1 (12-0) Led until 4th, not fluent 5th, weakened before 3 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Findthetime (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Alrightjack (IRE) 17-2 (12-1) Tracked leader, led briefly after 2nd, dropped to 3rd next, pushed along after 3 out, well held 4th and wide home turn, went left 2 out and last, ridden and hung left run-in, plugged on in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 16 1/2l behind Purple King (11-9) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Merry Berry 10-11jfav (11-5) Made all from sole rival and jumped better, clear 2 out, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Jun beating Barely Famous (11-5) by dist, 2 ran.
Birds Of Prey (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leader, pushed along and outpaced approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 6, 11 1/2l behind River Bray (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Langley Hundred (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden well before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 29 1/4l behind Individualiste (10-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Mar.
Sword Beach (IRE) 7-4jfav (11-12) Keen tracked leader, led soon after 3 out, ridden and ran on, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gd in Mar beating Hit The Rocks (12-4) by 1l, 8 ran.
