chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd after 9th until before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd, headway before 7th, not fluent 4 out, challenged going well 3 out, led next, clear last, very easily
in touch in rear, slow and struggling 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 8th
led after 1st, headed 3rd, led 4th, headed 6th, not fluent 9th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
led until after 1st, led 3rd until 4th, led 6th, headed and not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner
NonRunner
Half of this field are having a first run over fences but all would have some sort of chance though only Wheesht, a winner over further here just over three weeks ago, and last month’s Southwell runner-up Getaway Luv have had a recent run. Jen's Boy is 0-6 over the larger obstacles but has finished second three times. Samtara has not managed a career win in 15 attempts so the vote goes to DUC DE BOURBON, who is a half-brother to useful chaser Astracad and has been waiting for this better ground. Translink is 2-2 over hurdles around here but has a Flat pedigree.
Samtara 11-4 (11-8) Led 2nd, hit 4th, hard pressed 3 out, mistake 2 out, edged left and headed flat, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Jet Plane (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Duc De Bourbon (FR) 6-4fav (11-10) Held up in touch in 5th, improved going well 3 out, close up 2 out, ridden approaching last, not much room briefly and found little, 4th of 11, 6l behind Generation Gap (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Translink 7-2jfav (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along to be prominent before 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed leader last, stayed on well, just denied, 2nd of 11, shd behind Getalead (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Jen's Boy 8-1 (11-8) Led, joined 2nd, good jump to lead 9th, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on well flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Cremant (11-7) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Wheesht (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Jumped well, led 2nd, went clear 3 out, pushed along before last, ridden and idled flat, stayed on, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr beating Rose Ohara (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Getaway Luv (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, closer after 6th, pushed along and outpaced over 3 out, no match for winner from well before last, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Clear The Runway (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Apr.
