tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden after 7th, no chance with winner 3 out, went 2nd flat
mid-division, not fluent, closed 6th, ridden after next, no chance with winner 3 out, 4th and one pace thereafter
held up towards rear, ridden and lost touch from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
tracked winner, jumped left at times, ridden after 7th, well held when not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd flat
made all, not fluent 4th, clear before 3 out, unchallenged
held up in last, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, lost touch 6th, tailed off when swerving left and right in home straight
This looks tricky as Well Mett has the ability to win a race like this but lost the plot in the autumn and sports blinkers on his reappearance. POLARBROOK is also fitted with first-time headgear and has proved equally frustrating but he has been taking on the likes of African Gold and stablemate Super Duty over the last year or so and a repeat of his second in a novices' handicap at Carlisle in November would probably suffice here. Lauberhorn is conceding weight all round and didn't look very keen when beaten at Ludlow last time but the four-year-old Juno The Muffinman has a chance dropped in grade and upped in distance.
Lauberhorn 4-1fav (10-13) In touch in mid-division, headway after 6th, went left 3 out, chased winner approaching last where not fluent, stayed on, no impression, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Descaro (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gd.
Juno The Muffinman (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on and just held for 2nd place near finish, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Bob's World (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Hurricane Herbie (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) (tt) held up; went 3rd 15; no ex 2 out, last of 4, 5l behind Deb's Dasher (12-7) at Dulverton Farmers 3m ptp sft in Mar.
Polarbrook (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 19l behind Nicene Creed (10-8) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Well Mett (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, lost touch and struggling before 7th, tailed off and pulled up before next, in a race won by Seymour Eric (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
West End Classic (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Towards rear, pushed along 8f out, never dangerous, 9th of 10, well behind No No Mac (10-8) at Southwell 2m mdn n h flat (5) std in Mar.
Up In Flames (IRE) 18-1 (10-9) Towards rear, ridden and weakened after 5th, 7th of 9, well behind Counsel (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov hdl (4) gd.
Maccabees 25-1 (11-10) Held up in last pair in touch, pushed along 7th, chased leaders under pressure after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression, 5th of 9, 24l behind Marie Deja La (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
