made most, not fluent 14th, driven and headed turning in, ridden between last 2, weakened after last
with leader, ridden and every chance turning in, one pace between last 2, no extra in 3rd flat
tracked leaders on inside, poised to challenge after 3 out (usual 4 out), challenged between front pair turning in, soon led, clear last, ridden and idled briefly flat, kept on
in touch on outside, lost place 11th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up on long run before 2 out
held up in touch in rear, tracked leaders 11th, blundered 3 out (usual 4 out), soon outpaced and ridden, hit last, kept on flat, no impression
tracked leaders, mistake 7th, lost place 9th, behind when blundered next, pulled up before 11th
prominent on outside, lost ground 3 out (usual 4 out), soon pushed along, rallied after 2 out, ridden and stayed on to chase winner flat, always held
Poker Play opened his account over fences with a victory at Chepstow and Redzor made a winning chase debut at Fakenham. Both are penalised along with Perth winner WHOLESTONE but the latter is clear at the weights having subsequently just missed out over track and trip last month and Nigel Twiston-Davies’ charge is expected to improve further in first-time headgear. Aaron Lad has won over hurdles here and debuts over the larger obstacles but Minella Warrior, Aye Aye Charlie and Rockpoint all finished behind the selection last month with the former preferred on his second start after wind surgery.
Poker Play (FR) 3-1 (11-3) Led to 3rd, led 5th to 6th, pecked 3 out, soon led, driven out flat, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f (3) sft in Oct beating Sensulano (10-10) by 5l, 7 ran.
Redzor (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Pressed leader until led 5th, made rest, clear 2 out, comfortable, won at Fakenham 3m (3) gd in Oct beating Jersey Bean (11-2) by 21l, 5 ran.
Wholestone (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Close up, led 5th, blundered 14th, edged right after last, soon ridden and hard pressed, headed closing stages, kept on, 2nd of 8, nk behind Mulcahys Hill (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Oct.
Aaron Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, hampered 3rd, ridden 8th, not fluent 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 13, 18l behind Tobefair (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Aye Aye Charlie 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, driven and outpaced after next, soon ridden, never on terms, lost modest 4th flat, 5th of 8, 16l behind Mulcahys Hill (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Oct.
Minella Warrior (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, tracked leaders from 7th, not fluent 15th, ridden to chase front pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 8, 6 1/4l behind Mulcahys Hill (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Oct.
Rockpoint 8-1 (11-0) Prominent to after 2nd, held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, never going pace to challenge, stayed on into never nearer 4th flat, 4th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Mulcahys Hill (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gs in Oct.
