held up, not fluent and stumbled 2nd, not fluent next or 5th, modest 6th 2 out, plugged on before last, no impression
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden after next, 3rd and no extra when not fluent last, dropped to 4th flat
prominent, ridden and weakened 5th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, 2nd after 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, stayed on, not quite reach winner
not fluent in rear, behind 4th, pulled up after 2 out
towards rear, behind 5th pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to lead after 2nd, not fluent 4th, headed before next, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
led until after 2nd, led before 5th, edged slightly left towards finish, held on
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 5th, closed when slow next, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last
in touch in mid-division, headway from 4th, 2nd approaching 3 out until 2 out, 4th and no extra when not fluent last, went 3rd flat
NonRunner
Ludlow runner-up Nigh Or Never should have more scope than Marettimo despite the pair having similar claims on the form book. Spirit Of Rome was second to a useful filly at Fontwell on Boxing Day and should know more today but she would have been getting 25lb from SABLE ISLAND if this were a Flat race. Olly Murphy’s hurdling newcomer won a Chester maiden for Sir Michael Stoute last August and may have too much class for these if his jumping is up to scratch. Broughtons Admiral was a maiden on the level but placed over 2m so shouldn’t fail through lack of stamina.
Broughtons Admiral 20-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 2f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on, just held, 3rd of 12, 1/2l behind Black Prince (9-0) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Cosy Club (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Soon raced in 4th, no impression when left 3rd and impeded last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Mitchouka (11-7) at Punchestown 2m Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Etoo Sport (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Close up, tracked winner 5th until ridden after 3 out, weakened pulled up next, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Nigh Or Never (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led until 1st, led next, headed 3 out, no impression on winner when mistake 2 out, not fluent last, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Look My Way (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Pentito Rap (USA) 9-2 (8-11) In touch and pushed along, ridden over 1f out, went 3rd place inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Sonnet Rose (9-1) at Southwell 1m mdn hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Percy Thrower (IRE) 10-1 (8-11) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 4 1/4l behind Four Kingdoms (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Romanor 8-1 (8-12) Behind, not clear run 2f out, driven to chase leaders over 1f out, outpaced final furlong, never on terms, 7th of 11, 6 3/4l behind Great Court (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Oct.
Royale Zanzibar (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, awkward next, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, dist behind Style De Garde (11-4) at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Sable Island (IRE) 7-2 (8-13) Held up in touch, challenged over 2f out, led over 1f out, headed entering final furlong, no impression on winner and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Fools And Kings (8-13) at Chepstow 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Spirit Of Rome (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Chased leading pair, taken to outside and led approaching 2 out where jumped left, headed approaching last, kept on same pace run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Aiguille Rouge (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Dec.
Marettimo (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Raced keenly, led, joined 2 out, headed between last 2, ridden and not pace of winner from last, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Vaziani (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) sft in Dec.