tracked leader, led 5th until 7th, led 9th until before 10th, not fluent 13th (water), hit 16th, led next, headed narrowly when left in lead 4 out, ridden clear when hit 2 out, kept up to work until close home, finished tired
took keen hold, landed steeply 3rd (water), headed 5th, led 7th until not fluent 9th, led approaching 10th, mistake next, not fluent 13th (water) or 16th, mistake and headed 17th, led narrowly when fell 4 out
held up in 4th and behind, behind 10th, tailed off when left 3rd 4 out, went 2nd flat, not a hope with winner, tailed off
tracked leaders, pecked slightly when left 2nd and hampered 4 out, weakened 2 out, clambered over last, lost 2nd flat, tailed off
Nonrunner
DUKE OF LUCCA probably needs to win here to justify an entry in a Grade 1 contest at next week's Punchestown Festival but is capable of doing so. He was outclassed behind Sir Des Champs in the Jewson here last month but bounced back to winning ways over a longer trip at Bangor and is likely to see this out better than most. Frascati Park's defeat of Alfie Spinner at Warwick in January is the best form on offer but he ran a shocker when favourite at Newcastle next time and, as he's not very big, jumping fences seems to take a lot out of him. Mr Hudson has a chaser's build, however, and deserves his chance at a higher level after winning easily over 3m2f at Newton Abbot and is preferred to Drumbaloo and Glens Boy at the weights.
Duke Of Lucca (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) With leader, led 9th, mistake 12th, strongly challenged after 3 out, drew clear approaching last, eased close home, won at Bangor 3m nov chs (4) gd in Mar beating Emmaslegend (11-0) by 17l, 4 ran.
Frascati Park (IRE) 11-10fav (11-7) Led, mistake 8th, headed 13th, weakened from 5 out, 5th of 6, well behind Helpston (11-7) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) gs in Feb.
Drumbaloo (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway and switched right before 3 out, led run-in, kept on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Cootehill (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Mr Hudson (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Made all, jumped well throughout, clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gd in Mar beating Thelobstercatcher (10-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Glens Boy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, pushed along and lost place after 11th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Lackamon (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
