Merry Storm is chanced against One Day and Frosty Run. The word chanced is appropriately used on this occasion as a third to Boardroom Dancer might indicate that he has been finally got by the handicapper. He was a course-and-distance winner though and he would not mind any overnight rain. One Day is part of the Paul Beck draft from Richard Guest's yard. He was always held in high regard by Guest although unfortunately his fencing has not quite been up to test match standards. Frosty Run is from a yard that are sending out winners. That was a fine reappearance effort after over a year off the track and the backers will be hoping that the bounce factor does not come into play. Celtic Major is bred very much on classical National Hunt lines. His recent formlines are not particularly inspiring this year and the market is best watched. Jamerosier has had his problems and is making a belated return to racecourse action. He was rated 120 a couple of years ago and is now some 25lb lower in the ratings. Winning Hunter-Chaser, Martin Ossie is a rare runner for Milton Bradley. Of the remainder, Zimbabwe does have bits and pieces of hurdling form although he appears not to have progressed. Merry Storm is up against it off this mark so he is recommended albeit at minimal stakes.
Martin Ossie 7-2fav (11-5) Led until 15th, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Party Games (11-5) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gs, 11 ran.
Frosty Run (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, hit 11th, headway next, every chance and jumped slowly 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 3rd of 15, 10l behind Glacial Delight (11-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
One Day (NZ) 10-1 (9-10) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Millenaire (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Celtic Major (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up until blundered and fell at the 3rd in race won by Trenance (11-7) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Point 11-1 (10-3) Behind, blundered 2nd and 3rd, well behind when pulled up at the 4th in race won by Lord Brock (11-2) at Haydock 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Merry Storm (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway 9th, chased winner, hit 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 15, 8l behind Boardroom Dancer (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gd.
Jamerosier (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, with leader after, niggled along from 7th, hard ridden after 14th, outpaced before 3 out, kept on run-in, 4th of 5, 8l behind Calvic (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (D) sft in Feb.
Deltic Arrow 100-1 (11-4) Behind from 5th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind The Listener (11-10) at Windsor 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Drive On Driver (IRE) 150-1 (10-5) Hampered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-5) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft, 11 ran.
Zimbabwe (FR) 16-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, close up when fell at the 12th in race won by Merry Storm (10-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-88 (5) sft, 16 ran.
Uncle Ada (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Held up last, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by King Coal (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Joe Mchugh (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 12th pulled up 3 out in race won by Graceful Dancer (10-11) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (F) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Arceye 66-1 (10-8) Always behind, tailed off from 7th, 6th of 10, well behind Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd.
Shuffling Pals (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened 14th, 9th of 15, well behind Boardroom Dancer (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gd.
Lunardi (IRE) 66-1 (9-8) Held up, never dangerous, 14th of 16, 50l behind Moscow Gold (9-13) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, tailed off from 7th, 7th of 10, well behind Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd.
