chased leader, challenged 3 out, soon led, ridden and pressed last, headed run-in, no chance with winner
led, hit 9th, pressed 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear in 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, challenged last, led run-in, always in command, comfortably
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A tricky little puzzle to solve complicated further by the fact that top weight Frontier Spirit was entered here yesterday. Gordon Elliott's runners are usually worth a second look at this track so Fairyhouse second Lord Redsgirth should go well and is preferred to Red Harbour, who has his first start for Lucinda Russell. Akarshan won easily at Ludlow but was all out to follow up at Taunton and is 6lb higher today so we'll take a chance on NAIAD DU MISSELOT. Though yet to win over fences, Ferdy Murphy's 11-year-old has run some decent races and was a fair hurdler in his prime. The handicapper has given him a chance here on these terms.
Red Harbour (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Patiently ridden in rear, steady headway 16th, chased leading quartet after 4 out, challenged 3 out, stayed on to 2nd before last, no chance of reaching winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Masked Man (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Akarshan (IRE) 5-4fav (12-0) Made al, hit 4 out, 1 length ahead when not fluent last, strongly pressed close home, just held on, won at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Great Kicker (10-13) by shd, 5 ran.
Lord Redsgirth (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Waited with towards rear, progress into moderate 5th before straight, moderate 3rd when mistake 2 out, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 2nd of 16, 12l behind Heavenly Brook (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f beg chase gd.
Frontier Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 14th of 23, 28l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Naiad du Misselot (FR) 11-10 (10-9) Tracked leading pair, jumped slow 4th, went 2nd from 7th, joined leader 8th, led next, pecked 2 out, soon ridden and headed, switched right before last, jumped left and slightly hampered last, kept on, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Priceless Art (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (5) gd in Mar.
