keen in rear, headway after 3 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, ridden into 3rd after next, never troubled leaders
mid-division, weakened 3 out
led until 3rd, remained prominent until lost place approaching 2 out, pulled up quickly before last
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
always in rear, beaten 3 out
held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous
in touch, under pressure 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
keen, tracked leaders, weakened 2 out
keen, tracked leaders, led 3rd, driven clear before 2 out, ran on well
chased leaders, progress into 2nd approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, never able to challenge
LITTLE STEVIE hasn’t raced since finishing runner-up at Kelso in October but had a subsequent winner back in fourth on that occasion and this looks less competitive. Star of Rory found one too good in a novices handicap at Warwick last month and makes more appeal than juvenile hurdle winner Cheeky Rascal while Stormingin ran well for third at Fakenham before disappointing at Wincanton last time. Lord Marmaduke has disappointed since placing at Leicester in December and Gin And Tonic hasn’t raced since last summer.
Unsafe Conduct 7-1 (11-12) Led, jumped left 1st, headed 5 out, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 15, dist behind Texan Nomad (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Lord Marmaduke 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, reluctant and dropped to last 3rd, virtually refused to race and pulled up before 4th, at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Jan.
Stormingin (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, 13th of 15, dist behind Texan Nomad (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Collodi (GER) 14-1 (12-2) Chased leaders, outpaced bypassing omitted 3 out, ridden after 2 out, went modest 3rd between last 2, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 10, 18l behind The Crazed Moon (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Star of Rory (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, hung left and led 2 out, headed last, hung left and no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Dyliev (11-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Little Stevie 11-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway before omitted 2 out, chased winner closing stages, stayed on under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Iolani (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Oscar Vespasian (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) 2 led until fell 1st, at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Cheeky Rascal (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Led, clear after 1st to before 4 out, ridden and headed before next, soon weakened, 8th of 11, dist behind Fanfan Du Seuil (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Veiled Secret (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Led and soon well clear, reduced lead 7f out, headed 3f out, soon weakened, last of 11, 27 3/4l behind Dance To Paris (9-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Justice Knight (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, tailed off when mistake and stumbled next, 14th of 16, dist behind Midnight Midge (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Gin And Tonic 7-2jfav (10-12) Always behind, beaten 4 out, pulled up next, at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Murchison River 9-4fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced next, rallied last, kept on same pace, 4th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Empire De Maulde (11-10) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
