chased leader, led 3rd, pushed along and headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened on long run-in
always well placed, led going well 2 out, hard ridden on long run-in, just held on (last fence in home straight and old water jump in back straight omitted)
held up mid-division, headway after 9th, weakened 4 out, mistake 3 out
behind from 5th, pushed along after 7th, struggling from 9th
always prominent, ridden after 3 out, every chance 2 out, ran on well towards finish, just failed
led to 3rd, prominent, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, weakened on long run-in
always in rear, not fluent 2nd, no chance from 9th
held up and behind, short-lived effort after 9th, went poor 4th on long run-in
held up in touch, weakened before 4 out
held up mid-division, behind from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Quite a few can be fancied in an open contest but NEVER LEARN is lightly-raced for one of his age - presumably as a result of training issues - and should be all the better for a pipe-opener over hurdles at this track last month when fourth of 10 to Lightly Squeeze. He looked useful over fences back in 2018 and hopefully can now start making up for lost time. Robbie Power is booked. Summit Like Herbie has every chance if reproducing a much-improved showing the last day when runner-up in a Warwick handicap of similar quality to what he faces here. The consistent Indian Brave and course and distance winner, Goodgirlteresa are also respected along with Legend Of Zorro for the Frost family.
Louse Talk (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Prominent until weakened 8th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 11th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Indian Brave (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up and behind, progress 12th, ridden and chased winner bypassing omitted last, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Mah Mate Bob (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Never Learn (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along after 2nd, hampered and behind before next, some headway under pressure after 3 out, never going pace to challenge, left modest 4th next, 4th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Lightly Squeeze (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Nickname Exit (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, pushed along 11th, soon lost place, plugged on from 2 out, 4th of 8, 12 3/4l behind Kavanaghs Corner (10-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
On The Road (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 10th, went 3rd last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 10 1/2l behind Alminar (12-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Summit Like Herbie 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 11th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied under pressure edging left and went 2nd 2 out, every chance last, hung left under pressure run-in, not go through with effort, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind Manofthemoment (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Goodgirlteresa (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Close up in rear, not fluent 3rd, ridden 4 out, some headway 2 out, not trouble leaders, 4th of 6, 21 1/4l behind Storm Wizard (11-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Marley Firth (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Prominent, led before 4th, mistake next, headed before last, held flat, 2nd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Loverboy (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Legend Of Zorro (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Held up, led 6 out, hard driven 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Crossley Tender (11-10) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Cock A Doodle Doo (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, pulled up, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
