led, ridden and headed over 2f out, no chance with winner over 1f out, kept on for 2nd
tracked leaders on inside, headway into 3rd over 2f out, soon driven along and no impression, weakened inside final furlong
chased leaders, kept on same pace final furlong
took keen hold, held up, headway under pressure 2f out, stayed on into 3rd inside final furlong, kept on but no chance with winner
held up in rear, headway on outside under pressure over 1f out, went 4th inside final furlong, kept on, never nearer
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 2f out
towards rear, pushed along and one pace 3f out, no headway final 2f
tracked leader, led going well over 2f out, clear over 1f out, kept on strongly, eased close home
took keen hold, raced wide, held up towards rear, headway into mid-division halfway, pushed along 4f out, driven and kept on same pace final 2f
held up towards rear, behind and struggling over 2f out
Ben Pauling has a few decent horses in his yard and Cheltenham third Always Lion is another. But JOE FARRELL (NAP) looks the one to beat on his second to Barter's Hill at Warwick as the winner followed up in a very competitive Listed race at Newbury last week. Stonegate pulled much too hard here last time and is capable of better but Theo's Charm's Huntingdon win probably didn't amount to much. The form of Church Leap's victory on Polytrack has also taken a few knocks but Big Chief Benny should improve on his debut second. Wait For Me could have found an easier race in which to make his debut so also catches the eye and Aqua Dude and Pawn Star have form in point-to-points. West Approach made a winning start at Newbury but the second has been well beaten since.
Always Lion (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in touch in rear, headway on outside 6f out, went 3rd over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Definitly Red (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Nov.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Mid-division, headway on inside 5f out, ridden to chase winner 2f out, closed 1f out, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Barters Hill (11-4) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Stonegate 7-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed laong 5f out, soon lost place, 10th of 13, 23l behind Supasundae (11-4) at Ascot 2m Listed NH flat (1) sft in Dec.
Theo's Charm (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd over 5f out, led over 2f out, clear final furlong, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan beating Deputy Commander (10-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
West Approach 3-1 (11-5) Chased clear leaders, took closer order over 4f out, every chance from over 2f out, soon hung badly left, stayed on strongly to lead close home, won at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) hvy in Jan beating King Kayf (11-2) by hd, 6 ran.
Aqua Dude (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Mostly trkd ldr in 2nd, ld bef 3out, 2l adv gng best bef 2out, easily, won at Ballyarthur 3m ire ptp gs in Apr beating Apache Park (11-9) by 8l, 12 ran.
Pawn Star (IRE) 7-4 (11-9) Chsd ldrs, 4th 1/2way, prog to jn ldr 3out, wo 2out, jnd appr last, hdd early run-in, kow to line, 2nd of 11, 2l behind For Instance (11-9) at Ballinaboola 3m ire ptp in Nov.
Wait For Me (FR) Saint Des Saints gelding out of Aulne River.
Church Leap (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, squeezed for room on bend 9f out, good headway over 3f out, soon chasing leaders, switched right 2f out, went 2nd and edged left over 1f out, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, soon clear, won at Lingfield 2m NH flat (6) std in Jan beating Draco's Code (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Big Chief Benny (IRE) 7-2 (10-2) Held up in mid-division, headway 7f out, led over 2f out, soon ran green and wandered, headed inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Copper Kay (10-12) at Warwick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
