held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, ridden and headway after 2 out, kept on well from last, nearest at finish
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, clear when blundered last, kept on
led, hit 4 out, pushed along soon after, headed approaching next, kept on same pace
in touch in 4th, ridden and hit 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up mid-division, hit 4th, chased leaders approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, soon no impression
chased leaders, took closer order 5th, led approaching 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on
held up towards rear, behind from 6th, tailed off from 4 out
in rear, good headway after 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
with leader, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
KEEPHOLDIN is expected to follow up with Go Free and Abfabfong on the short list. Neil Mullholland's gelding was the subject of plenty of support in the offices last time out and this proved to be well placed as he relished the extended trip at Hereford. This does represent a drop in trip though the handicapper is likely to punish him by more than the seven pounds than the penalty allows. Go Free is quirky though not devoid of ability. He lost his way last year when tailed off in sellers but a break from the course could have served him well. Abfabfong should appreciate the conditions. The handicapper has dropped him massively down the weights and if the visor works, he is not without hope. Steveys Lad hails from a shrewd stable and the market must be closely watched. Aymed des Fieffes is still a maiden.He returns after a sizeable absence from the course. The Composer is better known on the flat and his hurdling efforts have produced plenty of duff notes in the past. A race little better than plating grade and Keepholdin looks incredibly difficult to oppose.
Go Free 16-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place after 6th, weakened 9th, mistake 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Watch Out (10-3) at Worcester 3m sell hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Oct.
Back In Business (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, one pace when bumped last, weakened flat, 7th of 15, 12l behind Dawn At Sea (11-8) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Walls Way 22-1 (10-8) Mid-division, hit 6th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Ifandbutwhy (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Steveys Lad (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Held up, struggling 7th, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 8, 18l behind Petroglyph (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
The Composer 50-1 (11-9) Mi-division, weakened soon after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Herald Angel (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Keepholdin (IRE) 4-1 (10-3) Held up behind, headway on inner approaching 10th, led after 2 out, clear approaching last, easily, won at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Bled (11-10) by 10l, 13 ran.
Abfabfong (IRE) 80-1 (11-7) Prominent, reminder after 4th, ridden approaching 6th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 13, 29l behind Canni Thinkaar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, tracked leader 2 out, close up flat, no extra, 4th of 10, 3l behind Ring Bo Ree (10-8) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov '08.
Barlin Bay 200-1 (10-8) Held up in last, always behind, mistake 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Predictive (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Arabian Sun 66-1 (9-11) Always behind, struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ballabrook (10-9) at Ludlow 2m 5f am nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.