led until 3rd, prominent, led 10th, hit 15th, drew clear from 2 out, ridden out
prominent, led 8th until 10th, with winner, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, every chance after next, one pace from 2 out
held up behind leaders, ridden after 17th, went 3rd next, weakened after 3 out, lost 3rd near finish
held up behind leaders, blundered 4th, hit 12th, ridden after 14th, weakened 17th, tailed off
held up, hampered 4th, struggling 16th, plugged on from 2 out to take modest 3rd near finish
prominent, led 3rd until 8th, prominent, ridden approaching 17th, weakened 4 out
Petit Lord has been kept fresh for a spring campaign and can reward his connections' decision by taking this prize. Joe Lively is the form pick but only on his early season form which is fast becoming a fading memory. The selection was a pretty average hurdler and he still has something to prove as a chaser despite a relatively lofty rating as a narrow defeat of the out of form and dubious stayer Self Defense over 3 miles at Exeter is nothing to write home about. He had been mentioned as a possible Scottish National contender though and his connections usually know the time of day. In fairness to Joe Lively he did fair slightly better at Aintree than he has in some recent contests and it may be foolish to dismiss him out of hand but the temptation, nevertheless, persists. Those two would need to underperform for any of the remainder to take the prize and this should go the way of Petit Lord.
Beat The Boys (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Mid-division, mistakes, jumped slowly 10th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by High Chimes (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Joe Lively (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 12th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Big Buck's (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gd.
Petit Lord (FR) 1-2fav (11-8) Held up, headway after 9th, mistake 13th, hard ridden approaching 4 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Nov beating Self Defense (10-12) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Michael Muck 4-1 (11-4) Chased leader, effort 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Real Deal (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
The Langer (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) With leader, jumped left 6th, led 10th, headed when stumbled 4 out, slightly bumped 2 out, weakened, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Just Jaffa (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Palmers Peak (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, headed 2nd, led again 5th, headed 7th, led approaching 12th, headed 5 out, ridden next, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Leading Attraction (10-9) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Mar.
