tracked leaders, challenged 3 out (usual 4 out), 3 lengths down and outpaced bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden between last 2, rallied flat, led towards finish
soon behind, reminders after 9th, chased leaders after 11th, ridden and outpaced bypassing omitted 3 out, kept on under pressure flat, no impression
towards rear, reminders after 10th, lost touch and pulled up after next
held up behind, took closer order 8th, not fluent 12th, weakened after 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off when pulled up before last
tended to jump right, led to after 11th, soon lost place, behind from next, tailed off
tracked leader to after 2nd, tracked front pair, close up 6th, hit 4 out (usual 5 out), driven and outpaced in 3rd bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, no impression
in touch, tracked leader after 2nd, led after 11th, driven 3 lengths clear bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden after last, soon hard pressed headed towards finish, no extra
NonRunner
Roparta Avenue won over hurdles here in November and went close back over fences at Plumpton a fortnight ago. He should be in the mix while Kilmurvy showed signs of a resurgence when placed at Warwick last time but hasn’t won since 2014. NEVER LEARN is less exposed and though well beaten when runner-up at Exeter last month, Colin Tizzard’s charge gets the vote dropped a further 3lb. Lord Aldervale went agonisingly close to winning for the first time under Rules in 29 attempts when second here and Quick N' Easy found one too good yet again at Newton Abbot last time.
Never Learn (IRE) 15-8fav (12-2) Led, headed when jumped right 4 out, no chance with winner next, 2nd of 5, 22l behind Kavanaghs Corner (10-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Kilmurvy (IRE) 3-1fav (10-12) Not always fluent in rear, in touch after 15th, ridden and outpaced 17th, rallied 3 out, no impression before 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 11 1/2l behind Phangio (10-6) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Red Penny (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led into start, held up in 5th, outpaced after 9th, behind, modest effort before 4 out, modest 4th 3 out, jumped right last, 4th of 6, dist behind Burgess Dream (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Quick N' Easy (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) In rear, ridden 11th, very remote 14th, went 4th next, 3rd before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Abbeygrey (12-2) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Sep.
Lord Aldervale (IRE) 12-1 (10-1) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Spiritofchartwell (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Hardtorock (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Prominent, lost place after 3rd, soon in rear, pulled up before 2 out, at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
What Larks (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, led 4 out, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 24l behind Mrsrobin (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) gd in May.
Roparta Avenue 11-4jfav (10-7) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 13th, led approaching 4 out, ridden and joined last, edged right and headed run-in, 2nd of 9, 1l behind King Cool (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in May.
