towards rear, last and struggling 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, normal 4 out
mid-division, good headway on inside tracking leaders 3f out, led 2f out, ridden and came clear over 1f out, kept on strongly
always in rear, lost touch 4th, tailed off
led, hit 3rd, stayed in centre in straight, headed over 2f out, soon hung right, weakened inside final 2f
held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling on extended run-in, never a factor
held up in mid-division, ridden and one pace final 2f, never on terms
always towards rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, pushed along and outpaced on extended run-in, weakened 2f out
raced wide tracking leaders, came widest in straight soon 2nd, led over 2f out until 2f out, kept on same pace
raced keenly, tracked leader until before straight, weakened quickly
raced keenly, always towards rear
tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, every chance when rider dropped whip approaching final 2f, kept on same pace
A potentially-informative maiden which sees Southern Sam attempt to get off the mark after a promising first run under Rules at Uttoxeter in a race that’s working out well. Larkbarrow Lad was only beaten a head at Huntingdon last month and Igor was another to find only one too good over a slightly shorter trip here on debut. The latter is trained by Nicky Henderson, who also has GALLAHERS CROSS in the line-up. Fourth in a bumper on this card 12 months ago which has produced numerous smart winners, the six-year-old is worth an interest on his hurdles bow. Darksideoftarnside has fair form on the Flat but didn’t get far on his first run over hurdles. Ask Dillon, Reve and Manofthemoment are others worth a second look.
Alkopop (GER) Jukebox Jury gelding out of Alkeste.
Ask Dillon (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up in touch on outside, driven to chase leaders 3f out, ridden over 1f out, not pace to get on terms, 5th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Master Debonair (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
Darksideoftarnside (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Reluctantly led until jumped slowly 1st, tracked winner, fell next, at Haydock 2m (2) hvy in Dec.
Drama King (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened after 4 out, pulled up approaching next, at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Feb.
El Hageb Rose (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Keen early, in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Moonlighter (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gd in Nov.
Gallahers Cross (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, every chance over 2f out, ridden and not quicken over 1f out, kept on in 4th inside final furlong, 4th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (11-4) at Ascot 2m lst (1) gs in Dec.
High Up In The Air (FR) 80-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway into mid-division 7th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 13, 34l behind Third Wind (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Igor 9-4 (11-0) In touch, headway 6th to track leaders, ridden to chase winner when not fluent 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Moonlighter (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gd in Nov.
Larkbarrow Lad 5-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, mistake next, slow 3 out, challenged before 2 out, hanging right before last, 2 lengths down flat, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 5, hd behind Enrichissant (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Manofthemoment (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, outpaced 3f out, never dangerous after, 7th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Hazzaar (11-0) at Ascot 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Reve 2-1 (11-0) Led, 3 lengths ahead and shaken up when fell 2 out, at Leicester 2m 4f mdn (4) gf in Dec.
Southern Sam 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, went 2nd 3 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 15, 2l behind Beakstown (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
