made all, quickened clear after 3 out, unchallenged
prominent ridden 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, weakened quickly and jumped left 6th, pulled up before 7th
mid-division, hampered 6th, lost touch quickly and pulled up before 7th
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on well from 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden 8th, effort approaching 2 out, one pace
prominent, mistake 1st, weakened approaching 8th, behind from 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, pecked 3rd, mistake 5th, behind and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 3 out, kept on gamely from 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and a lot to do 3 out, ran on past beaten horses from 2 out, went 2nd and jumped right last, never troubled winner
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, ridden 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, headway and chased winner after 3 out, beaten approaching last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
The Luder is taken to come out on top over the likes of Palm Island, Lindbergh Law, Macmar and Orange Street. Paul Nicholls has three runners here, but Ruby Walsh is reunited with The Luder on whom he scored over the course-and distance in January. The pair justified favouritism that day on what was the five-year-old's handicap debut and only his fourth attempt under rules, so despite his blip when fancied at Exeter next time, he can be fancied to make amends, having been give time to recover. Palm Island has been very consistent in defeat but is one-paced and will be one to note when sent over fences. However, he may still sneak into the frame here if they go a good pace bringing his stamina into play. Dual bumper winner Lindbergh Law has only had one outing over timber and is best watched until he shows more, while Macmar has failed to make an impact since going chasing and connections will be looking for a confidence-booster at best. Like the selection, Orange Street lines up with a penalty, picked up for an impressive Newbury win, but that was on faster ground and he is worth taking on, with The Luder much preferred.
The Luder (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, slightly outpaced, stayed on after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Bumper (11-1) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Le Briar Soul (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Keen, chased leader, led approaching 5th to 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 28l behind Principe Azzurro (11-3) at Warwick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Lindbergh Law (USA) 16-1 (11-3) Always behind, 5th of 9, 28l behind Call Oscar (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
Macmar (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Soon behind, headway 6th to chase leader, ridden 9th, mistake 11th, weakened approaching 5 out, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Nycteos (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Palm Island (FR) 7-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, rallied 9th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Kildonnan (11-9) at Warwick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Picts Hill 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, ridden and some headway 6f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 13, 13l behind Willie Pep (11-5) at Taunton 2m 1f nhf (6) gd in Jan.
Portland Bill (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hit 3 out and weakened, no chance when blundered last, 9th of 17, 18l behind Killaghy Castle (11-7) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) sft.
Orange Street 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged and hit 3 out, soon led, soon clear, won at Newbury 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd beating Buster Collins (10-12) by 7l, 11 ran.
