tracked leaders, led 5 out, strongly challenged 2 out, headed last, no extra closing stages
with leader until slow 5th, lost place next
led until 5th, rallied next, weakened after 2 out
jumped left throughout, soon behind, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up in touch, took closer order 4 out, led last, drew clear flat, easily
The ex-Irish Minella King only beat one home on his first start for Liam Corcoran at Wincanton. He should strip fitter here but may lack the scope of some of his rivals. Private Story showed promise in his first two starts over hurdles but ran a shocker last time at Southwell and it speaks volumes that Richard Johnson prefers stablemate JIVE MASTER. A winner on fast going at Hereford in August, he's been waiting for this quicker ground and can shrug off a six-month absence to defy his penalty. Ugo was fourth in a Sedgefield handicap three weeks ago but needs to find more to get off the mark here.
Jive Master (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, not fluent 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened after next, 4th of 5, 37l behind Sizing Symphony (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nh nov hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Minella King (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 6th, under pressure 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Polisky (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Private Story (USA) 14-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 12, well behind Wordy's Boy (11-2) at Southwell 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Storm Alert 66-1 (11-1) In rear, jumped badly left, behind 6th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Oscar Sunset (11-3) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Ugo (USA) 15-2 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway to 3rd 2 out, hit last and dropped to 3rd, no extra in 4th close home, 4th of 7, 9l behind Dr Flynn (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
