tracked winner, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before last, soon lost 2nd place, kept on
always behind, tailed off from 3 out
held up mid-division and keen, in 5th from 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression
always towards rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 4 out
made all, shaken up and clear before last, easily
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, one pace in 4th
held up mid-division, went 3rd from 4 out, ridden to chase winner from last, no impression
The last three winners of this have all carried a winner’s penalty but Diable De Sivola was flattered to get as close as he did to Defi Du Seuil in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham in November and is returning from his winter break. SOLDIER IN ACTION (NAP), a well-built 90-plus rated middle-distance handicapper on the Flat when trained by Mark Johnston, only beat one home when making his hurdling debut in a Listed race at Musselburgh but he raced wide throughout and only weakened approaching the last. He’ll have come on a bundle for that and will need to win this to stand any chance of getting into the Triumph Hurdle. Timoteo has career stats of 0-13 and was a beaten favourite at Bangor last month so will probably find at least one too good again. Attest has a bit of scope, however, and Apache Song should prove the pick of the newcomers.
Diable De Sivola (FR) 8-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, headway after 4 out, tracked front pair after 2 out, ridden to challenge when left clear 2nd last, kept on same pace, flattered by proximity to easy winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Defi Du Seuil (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m (1) gs in Nov.
Attest 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 11 1/2l behind Sporty Yankee (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Head High (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In rear, not fluent 2nd, some headway after 5th, weakened next, 6th of 7, dist behind Divin Bere (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (2) gs in Jan.
Jonofark (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on and never dangerous, 4th of 8, 36 1/2l behind Most Celebrated (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Mr Marchwood 9-2 (8-13) Held up, not clear run over 2f out, headway entering final furlong, nearest finish, 7th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Captain Swift (9-10) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Soldier In Action (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Prominent, keen, lost place before 2 out, 5th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Forth Bridge (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m lst (1) gd in Feb.
Timoteo (FR) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway tracking leaders and going well when slightly hampered 6th, went 2nd on long run before 2 out, closed 2 out, chance last, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Night Of Sin (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Apache Song 17-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, ridden in centre and every chance over 1f out, 3rd and one pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Beatbybeatbybeat (9-2) at Bath 1m hcp fll (5) gf in Oct.
