tracked leader, jumped left 1st, led after next, went right 4th, clear after 11th, reduced lead 3 out, headed between last 2, kept on same pace
in touch, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly and lost ground 5th, behind and no chance after, tailed off 11th, remote 4th before 4 out
led until after 2nd, chased leader until 6th, chased leading pair until before next, weakened 10th, tailing off when went badly left 11th, pulled up next
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd 6th, hit next, pushed along after 11th, hung left under pressure after 4 out, closed and hung left before 2 out, led between last 2, kept on reluctantly, driven out
held up in touch, 3rd before 7th, reminders after 9th, never on terms with leading duo
Not many Paul Nicholls’ horses end up in a seller and the trainer has clear lost patience with EARTHMOVES. He’s not shown a lot in two previous runs over fences but has won a couple of times over hurdles and he should be capable of making his presence felt in a race like this. Hansupfordetroit hasn’t won a race of any description since 2013 but he would have made short work of these in his prime. The Mumper also has a squeak if anywhere near his best but Horseguardsparade is best watched making his debut over the larger obstacles and Spanish Optimist is even harder to fancy.
The Mumper (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, raced wide, mistake 1st, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off after next, last of 7, dist behind Burgess Dream (10-1) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Hansupfordetroit (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Last pair, fell 12th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Spanish Optimist (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Chased clear leaders, struggling when mistake 11th, well behind 4 out, pulled up after, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Earthmoves (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Chased leading pair until not fluent 5th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Dell' Arca (11-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Horseguardsparade 8-1 (10-2) Slowly away, well in rear, never a factor, 6th of 10, 11 1/2l behind The Lock Master (10-1) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Feb.