prominent, badly hampered 2 out, every chance last, weakened inside final 100 yards
held up in rear, well beaten before 3 out
led, jumped right, blundered and headed 3rd, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 4 out, soon lost place
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, held from 3 out, jumped left and not fluent last, went 4th towards finish
mid-division, headway 4 out, switched right before last, not clear run flat, switched right towards finish, stayed on, just held
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, no impression 3 out
mid-division on outside, closed 5th, challenged when bumped and carried right 2 out, not fluent last, led flat, headed towards finish
took keen hold, went left and wandered into some of the hurdles, led 3rd, veered right into rival 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, led again towards finish
NonRunner
EVENWOOD SONOFAGUN (NAP) had fair novice and maiden hurdle form in Ireland and was sent to Cheltenham for his first two starts after joining Fergal O'Brien. Far from disgraced on either occasion, especially last time in a competitive handicap, he gets the vote in the hope he's tuned up for this first start since mid-November. Our Scholar, a Flat winner in Ireland for Johnny Murtagh, went close on his second start over timber when seemingly unfancied and a repeat of that level brings him strongly into the equation. Allihies is a possible improver after having wind surgery following his debut, whilst hurdling debutant Myristica ran really nicely on her first start for David Pipe on the level in a Newbury handicap last month, is an interesting recruit to jumping and could prove the main threat.
Evenwood Sonofagun (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway approaching the last, kept on run-in, 7th of 19, 10 1/4l behind Contrapposto (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Ruby's Comet 100-1 (11-4) Always in rear, never a factor, 8th of 9, dist behind Country Lady (10-11) at Plumpton 2m 2f mdn (4) sft in Apr.
Seaforth Mancy (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Disputed 3rd until not fluent and dropped to rear 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out, at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Wurlitzer 12-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, pushed along 2f out, every chance over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Sausalito (9-4) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
Allihies (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Jumped left on occasion, pulled hard, midfield when hampered 1st, restrained in rear next, headway before 3 out, went third before 2 out, plugged on one pace, 3rd of 8, 24l behind Planet Legend (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan.
Our Scholar (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 3 out, went 4th 2 out and pushed along, stayed on strongly approaching last, ridden, pressed leader and every chance run-in, held towards finish, 2nd of 13, nk behind Soldat Forte (11-6) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Apr.
Gardons La (FR) (10-6) 8th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Amelia Earhart (10-1) at Moulins 2m 1f gs in May.
Myristica (IRE) 10-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders on inside, pushed along disputing 2nd 2f out, weakened final furlong, 4th of 15, 5 3/4l behind Mustazeed (9-1) at Newbury 1m 2f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
Komedy Kicks (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, jumped left 2nd, ridden before 2 out, no impression, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 21 3/4l behind Under Control (11-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp fll (1) gd in Apr.
Estacas (GER) 11-2 (11-6) Tracked winner, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up after next, at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Try The Money (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 14, dist behind Good Friday Fairy (11-4) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) gs in Apr.
Roccstar Bay 12-1 (10-9) Went clear after 1st, ridden and headed 3 out, soon no extra and faded, 10th of 14, dist behind Parramount (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 1f (3) gd in Jan.
