chased leaders, mistake 2nd, reminder after 3rd, 2nd before 8th, led 17th until 4 out, chased winner until approaching 2 out, soon weakened, poor 5th when pulled up before last
bit keen, chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 8th, behind 11th, tailed off and pulled up after 14th
held up tracking leaders, closer in dispute of 4th when hit 10th, weakened before 17th,
chased leader, pushed along before 7th, lost 2nd before next, chased leaders, outpaced before 15th, rallied into 3rd 2 out,
held up in last pair, headway 12th, chasing leaders when pecked next, led 4 out, clear before next, very easily
jumped right at times, led until 17th, chased leaders, weakened and mistake 3 out, tailed off when blundered next, pulled up
held up and behind, blundered and almost unseated rider 4th, closer at 11th, headway chasing leaders 16th, 3rd on long run before 2 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, no chance with winner
Tractor Fred was only beaten a short-head when favourite last time at Plumpton. The Lion Dancer was pulled up in that contest but needed the run and better is expected here. BENECHENKO (NAP) was 0-8 over hurdles but there are clear signs he is going to be better over fences and he can go one better than at Hereford last month. Dontdelay won over 4m at Hexham in November and was only headed on the run-in back over hurdles at Wetherby over Christmas. He is not out of this as he carries a feather weight taking into account Emma Smith-Chaston’s claim. Hastrubal didn’t get far at Newcastle last month and may need more jumping practice.
The Lion Dancer (IRE) 17-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 3rd, headed 9th, led again soon after, mistake and headed 10th, led again 13th, headed before 5 out, weakened quickly, pulled up before 4 out, at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Carrigmoorna Matt (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always behind, lost touch from 12th, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Mah Mate Bob (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Tractor Fred (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 11th, headed 13th, led again before 5 out, challenged after 2 out, all out, headed post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Tzar De L'Elfe (11-0) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Benechenko (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, pushed along and some progress 15th, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 16l behind One Style (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Hastrubal (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Tracked leader, blundered and unseated rider 2nd, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Road Warrior 14-1 (11-8) Led until before 3 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out, last of 6, dist behind Good And Hardy (12-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Dontdelay (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Mid-division, progress to chase leaders 4th, led 7th, headed 4 out, led again next, headed after last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Pray For A Rainbow (10-10) at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
