towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never on terms
close up, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, stayed on one pace flat
tracked leader, led soon after 2 out, ridden and headed next, rallied flat, stayed on to lead again close home
keen in rear, headway 3rd, led soon after and 3 lengths clear, ridden and headed soon after 2 out, weakened flat
led, headed soon after 3rd, tracked clear leader, ridden to lead narrowly last, headed close home
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never on terms
in rear, pushed along 4 out, never on terms
Didtheyleaveuoutto was running well off higher marks in the autumn but this looks an insufficient test of stamina for the top weight. Takeit Easy will have needed last month’s run at Cheltenham and First Impression would certainly have a chance on the pick of his form but it’s a while since Inca Prince troubled the judge. Though a seven-year-old, FRUIT N NUT has only had four runs over hurdles. He’s won two of those and, with the going in his favour, can get the better of the hat-trick seeking El Muchacho, who is upped in class and seems best when the mud is flying.
Didtheyleaveuoutto (IRE) 16-1 (9-8) In rear, always behind, 8th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Ehteyat (9-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Takeit Easy 22-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway on outside when not fluent 2 out, lost place before last, 10th of 15, 14l behind Hacker Des Places (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Fruit N Nut (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders on inside, led on inside at the last, soon clear, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Ashington (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
First Impression (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Chased leader until over 3f out, lost place over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 9 1/2l behind Evania (9-9) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Inca Prince (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up last, never on terms, 6th of 10, 15 1/4l behind Collingham (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
El Muchacho (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Close up, tracked leaders 4 out, chased leader 2 out, ridden to challenge when not much room flat, ran on, led close home(the last was omitted), won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Prairie Wolf (10-7) by hd, 6 ran.
Red Force One 20-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, lost place before 3 out, well held after, 5th of 8, 21l behind Rocky Man (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Bonne Vitesse (IRE) 33-1 (11-13) Never better than mid-division, 10th of 14, 13 3/4l behind Dancewiththewind (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
