chased leader until mistake 3rd, mistake next, lost place 3 out, soon well beaten, mistake last
mid-division, not much room after 8th, headway 3 out, close up last, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, led before 2 out, headed flat, lost 2nd towards finish
held up towards rear, closed before 4th, every chance when mistake 2 out, rider nearly unseated but did well to stay on, still thereabouts last, no impression flat
not fluent, soon in rear, mistake and behind 6th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway on inside when hit 2 out, led flat, stayed on well
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until 6th, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, no extra towards finish
led, not fluent 6th, headed 4 out, still every chance last, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, headway 6th, no extra before 2 out
held up in rear, jumped left and not fluent 2nd, some headway wide before 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, slow 1st, closed after 3rd, lost place before 3 out
NonRunner
Most of these should have a future over fences, though Slanelough has had plenty of chances. Both of Garry Clermont’s victories over hurdles at Ludlow last season came on soft going and an easier surface also seems a pre-requisite for Baron De Midleton, who stays a lot further. Conditions should suit Whoshotthesheriff, however, who won here over hurdles while Glory And Fortune has been very lightly raced and could still be anything, a comment that also applies to Flegmatik. BACK ON THE LASH was progressive over the smaller obstacles last season, winning at Exeter and Cheltenham. With Richard Johnson back on board, the six-year-old could be a decent bet in this if taking to fences. Ladronne could also be a nice prospect for Tjade Collier.
Glory And Fortune (IRE) 5-4fav (11-10) Led, ridden before omitted last, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 18, nk behind Buzz (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb.
Whoshotthesheriff (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Led narrowly, set steady pace, headed 2 out, soon ridden, outpaced last, no chance with front pair flat, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 5, 12 3/4l behind The Con Man (11-10) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Back On The Lash 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders on outside, lost a bit of ground after 2nd, effort 2 out, led flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Lust For Glory (11-6) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Garry Clermont (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 9, 19 1/4l behind Highway One O Two (11-2) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.
Big Bad Bear (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, slow 9th, hit 4 out, slow jump 3 out and ridden, jumped left 2 out, clambered over last, 4th of 5, 24l behind Not That Fuisse (11-2) at Perth 2m 4f (3) gs in Sep.
Flegmatik (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, every chance when went right next, one pace before last, no impression with front pair flat, 3rd of 9, 11 1/2l behind Main Fact (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Baron De Midleton (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Led, ridden and just over 1 length ahead when fell heavily 2 out, at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Slanelough (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, closed 2nd, led after 4th, led again before 3 out, soon headed, no extra flat, 8th of 15, 7 1/2l behind Dead Right (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Martila (FR) 11-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd on outside, one pace between last 2, kept on run-in, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 3 1/4l behind Manetti (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Ladronne (FR) 6-4fav (10-8) Held up in rear, gained a place at 7th, pushed along and one pace when left in modest 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 6 3/4l behind Mr Scrumpy (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Rollerruler 16-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, driven to challenge 3 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 6l behind First Flow (11-13) at Carlisle 2m (3) hvy in Mar.
Magic Dancer 14-1 (11-10) Chased leader until before 3rd, chased leaders, weakened between last 2, 4th of 8, 4 3/4l behind Get Back Get Back (11-6) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) gf in Sep.
