led, headed 7th, soon ridden, regained lead next, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, jumped right 6th, soon struggling, tailed off from 7th, jumped right last
held up towards rear, not fluent and reminder 6th, ridden before next, lost touch after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind, lost touch after 8th, tailed off
mid-division, not fluent 7th, weakened approaching 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 8th, not fluent 9th, ridden to lead after 2 out, hit last, driven out flat
chased leader, led 7th, headed 8th, soon ridden, weakened after 9th, tailed off when pecked 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway after 9th, every chance from 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, bumped and rider lost iron briefly 1st, hit 9th, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, jumped left 1st, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
Young Dude has plenty of stamina in his pedigree, being out of dam from the family of Scottish National winner Baronet, and the course bumper winner is taken to open his account over hurdles at the main expense of Return Ticket and Wyle Post. The last mentioned is better known as a hunter chaser and now reverts to hurdles. The seven-year-old should have no problems staying but may not have the class of the selection. The Evan Williams-trained Kings Leader has a long absence to overcome and may be best watched on his first start for new connections, while King of Scots gave little sign of encouragement on his recent return. Return Ticket could be of interest with the yard of Richard Phillips back among the winners but Young Dude is bred to appreciate step up in trip and he gets the vote to open his account over hurdles.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Prominent to over 6f out, 13th of 16, 46l behind Albertas Run (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Dodger McCartney 100-1 (11-2) Chased leader, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 18, well behind Gentleman Jimmy (11-2) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
King of Scots 40-1 (11-1) Behind when fell 5 out in race won by Sistema (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gd, 16 ran.
Kings Leader (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway into 7th 3 out, soon no extra, 11th of 23, 42l behind Like A Bee (11-12) at Navan 2m 6f mdn hdl sft in Jan '04.
Mr Fast (ARG) 50-1 (9-1) Slowly into stride, behind from halfway, 13th of 14, well behind Sugitani (8-11) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp 0-65 (6) fbs (Flat).
Return Ticket 10-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 6th, chased leaders after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 9l behind Grasp (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Wyle Post (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced 4th, kept on to take moderate 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Bill Haze (11-9) at Leicester 2m hts chs (5) hvy.
Young Dude (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, left in lead 2nd, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 23l behind Flying Falcon (11-4) at Exeter 2m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
