prominent, led after 6th, headed next, led approaching 14th, headed 17th, led again before 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 4th or 8th, jumped right 9th and 10th, went wrong and pulled up before 14th
always handy, hit 14th, challenged 16th, led next, headed approaching 4 out, led again 3 out, drew clear after next, soon idled, stayed on
always in rear, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, mistake 13th, ridden next, blundered 16th, outpaced next, stayed on flat
led until after 6th, led next, headed approaching 14th, blundered next, weakened 17th, soon pulled up
held up, headway 3rd, hit 15th, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out
held up in mid-division, reminders 13th, hit 15th soon behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, outpaced 17th, stayed on approaching last, went 3rd flat
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 14th, hit next, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression
held up, blundered badly and rider lost both irons briefly 2nd, mistakes 5th and 13th, some headway after 17th, no impression, pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, challenged 16th, outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd last, closed on idling winner towards finish
Nonrunner
Drybrook Bedouin was given a superb ride by Nick Scholfield to win over a longer trip here in December when Diamond Brook was back in fourth. There may not be much between the pair on today's revised terms, however, and Nick Mitchell's stayer has since finished well beaten at Wincanton though does reserve his best for this track. Scholfield rides recent Warwick fifth Clash Duff today but much more interesting is the potentially well handicapped AMMUNITION. Successful 12 months ago when Drybrook Bedouin was only third, Nigel Twiston-Davies' 12-year-old is now 7lb better off and hinted that a return to form was imminent when second over an inadequate 3m here on New Year's Day. Upham Atom, Flying Award and Mortimers Cross are all recent winners but are penalised as a result while Alderluck may still be too high in the weights and How's My Friend usually finds at least one too good.
Alderluck (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led when hit 6th, soon headed, stayed prominent, hit 12th, ridden before 4 out, beaten from 2 out, 4th of 11, 6l behind Mac Aeda (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Drybrook Bedouin 9-1 (11-12) Always behind, 6th of 9, well behind Honourable Arthur (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Clash Duff (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) In touch, lost place 5th, in rear from 6th, headway before 2 out, kept on from last, 5th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Fortification (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Roseneath (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Refused to race, in a race won by Midnight Appeal (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb, 13 ran.
Upham Atom 4-1 (11-2) Close 4th, until pushed along and lost place before 10th, headway to dispute 3rd when hit 4 out, tracked leading pair in 8 lengths 3rd 3 out, closed approaching next, went 2nd on inside flat, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Folkestone 3m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb beating Wide Receiver (11-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Mortimers Cross 5-1 (11-9) Mostly jumped well, led after 1st, kept on gamely from 3 out, driven out, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Rigadin De Beauchene (11-4) by 2l, 8 ran.
Fair Point (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 2nd, mistake 11th, soon lost place and struggling, lost touch 15th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Bradley (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Led, not fluent and headed 2nd, prominent, weakened after 13th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Zarrafakt (11-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 12 ran.
Ammunition (IRE) 18-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 14th, stayed on from next, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on to 2nd last, kept on under pressure flat, unable to reach winner, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Sarika (11-3) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
How's My Friend 9-2fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, in 6th 2 out, went remote 3rd last, never dangerous, 3rd of 11, 26l behind Pensnett Bay (10-9) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Always Bold (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, not fluent 7th, ridden in 5th when left modest 4th 4 out, well held when fell 2 out, in a race won by Kilcommon Pride (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 7 ran.
Atherstone Hill (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 10th, jumped right and hit next, headed 14th, led again next, ridden approaching 2 out, clear last, stayed on well, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in Nov beating Timpo (11-5) by 6l, 5 ran.
Flying Award (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Held up in 7th, pecked 9th, steady headway to 5th place approaching 11th, went 3rd 13th, went 2nd before 4 out until next, stayed in close 3rd, rallying when left 2nd last, stayed on to lead last stride, won at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo Am hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Sole Agent (10-4) by hd, 9 ran.
