held up, headway 12th, lost place when mistake next, progress approaching 4 out, weakened after 2 out, not fluent and hampered last
mid-division, headway 5th, hampered 8th, beaten 2 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner
chased leaders, went 2nd 8th, led approaching 4 out, 3 lengths ahead when left clear last, ridden out
prominent when blundered 1st, held up, headway 10th, chased winner approaching 3 out, 3 lengths down when fell last
led, mistake 1st, hampered by loose horse and headed 8th, led again next, headed approaching 4 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, mistake 5th, led 8th to 9th, weakened approaching 4 out
stumbled and unseated rider 1st
prominent, mistake 2nd (water), jumped slowly 6th, dropped rear and jumped very slowly 7th, lost touch approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
MAJOR MALARKEY is the tentative selection to get the better of obvious dangers Red Scally and Glenfolan. Gold Heart has had just the one start for Alan King and merits consideration but he hasn't done enough since arriving from France to warrant selection although he should prove capable of winning from his current mark. In contrast, College Ace may be high enough in the weights after scoring twice in November; Spring Lover also looks weighted to the hilt whilst The Luder and Launde are struggling to recapture their best and Orphelin Collonges hasn't built on a fairly promising start to his chase career. Red Scally scored very easily on his second start for his new yard, is well handicapped on his old form and escapes a penalty. He's won over further so this longer trip should pose no problems and he could be a warm order. This does look more competitive though and Glenfolan has to be rated as a live danger following a really encouraging return to action from a spell on the sidelines; market support would clearly make him of interest. Major Malarkey is at the other end of the spectrum in terms of experience having unseated fairly early on on his first chase start. That was a competitive race so connections must feel that he's capable of making up into a fair sort and he's bred to make a chaser. His jumping has to be a worry but he should be priced accordingly which will make it worth taking a chance with Major Malarkey.
Launde (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Hit 1st, held up in rear, ridden and lost touch 4 out, 6th of 9, 27l behind Le Burf (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Gold Heart (FR) 9-2 (10-7) Held up mid-division, took close at order 6th, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 10l behind Osako D'airy (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) hvy in Feb.
College Ace (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) In touch, led approaching 4 out, headed soon after, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 11l behind Cresswell Willow (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 8-1 (10-8) In touch, mistake 3rd, blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Kilcrea Asla (11-1) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb, 11 ran.
The Luder (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Led, ridden and headed after 15th, soon hung left and weakened, 6th of 11, well behind Pretty Star (11-0) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Orphelin Collonges (FR) 5-1 (10-12) Led 2nd, mistake 12th, headed 13th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Supreme Duke (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Feb.
Spring Lover (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, led 6th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 33l behind Church Island (10-13) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Glenfolan (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, close 7th 4 out, 5th after next, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 9, 18l behind Colmanstown Hope (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Feb.
Red Scally 10-3jt-fav (11-9) Held up, blundered 6th, headway to track leader 5 out, led going well next, left 4 lengths clear 3 out, kept on, won at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) sft beating Quinntowin (9-11) by 4l, 6 ran.
