mistakes, tracked leaders, blundered 8th, rallied into 2nd 10th, led next until 12th, chased leader, hit next, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, driven in 3rd and held when left close 2nd 2 out, chance when mistake last, no extra
took keen hold, held up, headway tracking leaders when mistake and unseated rider 5th
led until 2nd, chased winner until 10th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, clear 7th, blundered and headed 11th, chased leader, led again next, hit 4 out, pushed along when headed and not fluent 3 out, driven and 4 lengths down when left in lead 2 out, clear from last
held up, steady headway 7th, pushed along and struggling in 4th before 3 out, left modest 3rd next
tracked leaders, mistake 6th, led 3 out, ridden 4 lengths ahead and going best when blundered and unseated rider next
held up, hampered and unseated rider 3rd
chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
ANDY KELLY was having his first start for eight months and making his debut over fences when storming to a clear victory at Plumpton last October. He's obviously difficult to keep right but is still young enough to make his mark, starting here. Dusky Lark landed a four-runner handicap at this level at Huntingdon in March by a distance but couldn't quite replicate that form at Wincanton the following month and is now 9lb higher than that victory. Mercers Court completed a hat-trick in the spring and returned to winning ways with an all-the-way success at Plumpton where he jumped well so a 3lb rise doesn't look insurmountable. Uhlan Bute has won once in 13 starts over fences but is still 11lb higher. Lost Legend has been running poorly but would have a chance second to none if able to recapture the form of his Bangor victory just over a year ago as he's 7lb lower now.
Dusky Lark 5-2fav (11-12) Chased winner throughout, pushed along and held before 3 out, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Go Conquer (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Andy Kelly (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, led 3 out, clear next, eased towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Cadoudoff (11-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
Lost Legend (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Always in rear, 6th of 8, 31 1/4l behind Johnny Og (11-6) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Mercers Court (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Made most, driven when hard pressed before 2 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on to go clear flat, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Jarlath (10-9) by 5l, 3 ran.
Morning Reggie 9-1 (11-4) In rear, mistake 9th, blundered 3 out, stayed on from next, never on terms, 5th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Ashcott Boy (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in May.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 5-1 (10-4) Led, headed before 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Rolly Baby (11-3) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Frontline (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 9th, left 2nd when hampered next, 3rd and weakening after 4 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Lockstockandbarrel (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (3) sft in Feb.
Atirelarigo (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 5th, ridden and weakened before 12th, 10th of 13, dist behind Portway Flyer (10-4) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
