led, hit 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, led before 2 out, hit last, kept on well
chased leader, hit 3rd, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, no extra from last
held up in touch, chased leaders before 3 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway before 6th, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, some headway before 3 out on inner, no impression
held up behind, reminders before 6th, weakened 4 out
mid-division and keen, weakened from 4 out
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance before 2 out, kept on from last
Drive Time won over C&D on his debut in January before finding Grade 2 company too hot at Cheltenham. It would be no surprise to see him bounce back today and he makes more appeal the Vertige Dore, who won over a shorter trip at Bangor last August but didn't look entirely straightforward when failing to justify favouritism in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton in December. Rio Gael could appreciate the longer trip but Lidar hasn't got home in two previous attempts over 2m4f. BROTHER BOB was in good form in the autumn and is proven on this ground. He looked ready for step up in trip when second at Aintree in November and could be a bit of value returning from a break here.
Rio Gael (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led, ridden approaching 2 out, headed soon after, weakening and held in 3rd when blundered last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Nine Stories (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Drive Time (USA) 20-1 (11-9) Chased leader 2nd, led 4th, hit next, mistake and headed 6th, weakened quickly 3 out, behind and pulled up before next, in a race won by Bobs Worth (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Lidar (FR) 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon hard ridden, left in 3rd soon after last, kept on under pressure to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Highway Code (11-3) at Taunton 2m 1f Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gd in Feb.
Vertige Dore (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway on outside 6f out, pushed along 4f out, soon lost place, rallied over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong to take 3rd post, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Chain Of Command (11-0) at Kempton 2m Nat Hunt Flat (4yo+) (AWT) (4) std in Dec.
Akbabend 25-1 (10-12) Tracked clear leader until 4 out, ridden, approaching and challenging when jumped left 3 out, every chance and jumped left next, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 20l behind Solis (10-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Brother Bob (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division on inside, headway 3 out, ridden to go 2nd after last, stayed on under pressure to press winner flat, held near finish, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Midnight Opera (11-1) at Aintree 2m mdn hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Comeragh King 40-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, weakened from 7th, never dangerous, 6th of 17, 40l behind Trustan Times (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan.
Lureyno 100-1 (11-4) Held up in mid-division, mistake 4th, hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 11th of 14, 44l behind Buckie Boy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Sir Tamburlane (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) With leader, not fluent 1st, ridden before 2 out when no impression, in 3rd and held when blundered last, no extra, 4th of 12, 20l behind Warrior One (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Led, clear early, headed and weakened quickly before 2 out, 9th of 11, 26l behind Unaccompanied (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Feb.
