sometimes jumped left, raced on inside, chased leader until ridden before 2 out, soon no extra in 3rd
raced wide, held up in last pair and keen, closer in 4th place after 4th, 2nd before 2 out, led between last two, pushed out and kept on well run-in
raced wide, led, pecked 2 out, headed between last two, edged left one pace and no impression run-in, kept on for clear 2nd
held up in last trio, dropped to rear and outpaced 6th, soon driven and beaten
chased leading pair, driven and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, closer order after 4th, driven and no impression before 2 out, disputing well held 3rd when mistake last, no extra run-in
The day's feature has a competitive look about it with none of the runners easily dismissed. Last year's Betfair Hurdle runner-up Dell' Arca almost landed a gamble at Cheltenham last month. Dusky Lark improved again to score over course and distance last time while Lough Kent gets soft ground for the first time since finishing second at Kempton in November. There should be more to come from the four-year-old Ibis Du Rheu but Fox Norton and Ronaldhino may have a bit to find at the weights. TORNADO IN MILAN has been raised 15lb for a facile victory over track and trip three weeks ago but could take all the beating again if in the same mood.
Dell' Arca (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3rd (normal 5th), challenged before omitted last, led flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Lightentertainment (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Fox Norton (FR) 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 9, 29l behind Purple Bay (10-11) at Wincanton 2m Ltd hcp hdl (1) gs in Nov.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) With leader, led after 2nd, clear when not fluent last, very easily, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Chesil Beach Boy (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Dusky Lark 10-1 (11-3) Held up, smooth headway after 3 out, 2nd before next, upsides last, led final 110 yards, ridden out and won going away, won at Taunton 2m 1f (3) sft beating Winning Spark (10-9) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Lough Kent 8-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, hit 4th, pushed along in modest 5th before 2 out, mistake last, weakened run-in, last of 8, 26l behind Polamco (10-13) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Ibis Du Rheu (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Took keen hold, set slow gallop, headed 2 out, weakened before last, last of 6, 30l behind Peace And Co (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 1f 4yo hdl Grade 2 (1) sft in Jan.
Ronaldinho (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 28l behind Blue Buttons (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
