led, ridden after 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, midfield on outside 7th, ridden before 3 out, one pace from 2 out
in rear, not fluent 4 out, headway between horses before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear last, stayed on strongly flat
towards rear, blundered and in rear 6th, ridden before 4 out, no impression
prominent, awkward 8th, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
midfield, headway under pressure before 3 out, kept on under pressure from 2 out but no match for winner
held up in touch, pressed leader 3rd, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, midfield 3rd, not fluent 8th, tracked leaders before 3 out where hampered slightly, ridden before 2 out, 2nd jumping last, faded flat
NonRunner
Several of these, including The Composeur, Viking Ruby and Jac Brown, are returning from a break with the latter also fitted with a tongue-tie on his return to action. The Distant Lady may also need this but Petite Power was just touched off over fences at Chepstow last month when 3lb higher in the weights, though hasn’t run over hurdles in more than four years. The penny appears to have finally dropped with SINGAPORE SAGA and she won by 10 lengths at Exeter two weeks ago even though she hung badly on the run-in. On that evidence, a 9lb rise may not be insurmountable.
Templehills (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) In touch in rear, blundered 9th, mistake next and 14th, fell 4 out, at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
The Distant Lady (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Last pair, never on terms, 7th of 8, 8 1/4l behind Bannixtown Glory (10-12) at Kempton 3m lst (1) gd in Nov.
The Macon Lugnatic 11-2 (12-0) Raced in second, dropped to third and pushed along 5 out, mistake next, soon faded and pulled up, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Jac Brown 7-2 (10-12) Led until 3rd, not fluent 5th, soon weakened, 5th of 11, dist behind Do Your Job (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Oct.
Petite Power (IRE) 14-1 (10-8) In rear, closed gradually from 10th, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, headed last stride, 2nd of 6, shd behind Gleno (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp stks (3) gd in Apr.
The Composeur (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Close up, not fluent 1st, travelled keenly early stages, led 5th and never headed, went comfortably clear when pushed out after the last, dominant, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Nobel Joshua (11-12) by 3 1/4l, 13 ran.
Samtara 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield 4th, travelled strongly to chase leaders 4 out, not fluent 3 out and ridden, weakened from 2 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Ratfacemcdougall (11-9) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Singapore Saga 3-1fav (12-0) Jumped left, prominent, led after 2nd, hung violently left from before 2 out, rider had both hands on right rein when drawing clear before last, veered left and ended up under stands rail flat, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (5) gf in Apr beating Midnight Aurora (11-12) by 10l, 11 ran.
Viking Ruby 9-4fav (11-9) Midfield, ridden to join leader 2 out, led at last, ran on well, won at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Tomorrow's Angel (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 13-2 (10-10) Not that fluent, chased leader, pecked 6th, led before 8th, headed after 4 out, weakening when left 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 5, 30 3/4l behind Equus Dancer (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.