held up in 4th, smooth headway to lead 2 out, blundered and headed last, not recover, kept on for clear 2nd
tracked leading pair, hit 4th and next, went 2nd between last 2, 2 out, led last, driven clear run-in
led until 3 out, chased leader and still every chance 2 out, weakened soon after
took keen hold, tracking leader, led 3 out until 2 out, ridden and lost 2nd between last 2, kept on same pace run-in
Nonrunner
Keith Reveley sets a poser here by saddling Brave Spartacus, who is probably better over fences nowadays, and Spiculas. The latter has a long absence to overcome but Nuts Well won over course and distance on heavy going last month and should make a bold bid to follow up off a 7lb higher mark. IFANDBUTWHYNOT hasn't shown much in a couple of starts for Tim Easterby but was third in last year's Scottish Champion Hurdle off a higher mark for David O'Meara and it will be a surprise if his shrewd handler can't get a race out of him. It's a long time since Swaledale Lad showed any worthwhile form over timber.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened, last of 10, dist behind Dandridge (10-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Nuts Well 5-2 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led before 2 out, mistake last, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Heath Hunter (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 5th, soon pulled up, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gf in Sep.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up, at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Spiculas (IRE) 5-4fav (11-4) Made all, pressed 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov beating Salto Chisco (10-12) by 2l, 8 ran.
