chased leaders, driven along from 11th, weakened before 4 out
prominent, mistake 7th, led 11th to 13th, hit next and weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, headway 10th, chased easy winner approaching 2 out until last, no extra flat
held up towards rear, not on terms with leader from 3 out
led to 2nd, chased leaders, mistake and weakened 15th
led 2nd to 11th, led 13th to 15th, weakened after 3 out
in touch until jumped slowly and lost place 6th, weakened and struggling from 10th
not jump well, always in rear, tailed off
in touch, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner
blundered 2nd, behind, struggling 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 7th
chased leaders until lost place 10th, soon well behind
behind, good headway to track leading pair before 10th, led 15th, clear after 3 out, kept on strongly
mid-division, jumped slowly 6th, slow jump and ridden 13th, soon struggling
behind, headway 12th, chased leaders from 15th, one pace and no impression when mistake last
Never Awol ran well under 10st at Towcester last month but faces no easy task giving weight away all round here and a chance is taken with Alfa Sunrise, who is preferred to Dun Locha Castle. The last mentioned has lost little in defeat in his last two starts in arguably better races than this but he could probably do with some help from the handicapper. Ebony Jack ran better at Plumpton last time when nine lengths behind Tallow Bay (now 9lbs worse off) but Colin Tizzard's gelding is gradually creeping up in the weights and may be booked for a place at best. Up The Pub has struggled to win since landing a Chepstow handicap in November and may be best watched, while Hobbycyr showed promise behind the in-form Presenting Express here last time and may run into a place. The vote though goes to Alfa Sunrise who is well treated on hurdles form and gets the vote in the hope that there is plenty more to come from him after a couple of runs this term.
Never Awol (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Led, headed 2nd, led 8th, headed 11th, led 3 out, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Heartache (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Il Penseroso (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd from before 7th, improved to lead 3 out, clear next when bad mistake, kept on well, won at Tramore 2m 4f hts chs gd in Mar beating Rathcolman Storm (10-9) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Instant Appeal 13-2 (10-8) In touch until weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, 17l behind Honan (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Hobbycyr (FR) 14-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, one pace under pressure approaching last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Presenting Express (11-6) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Deltic Arrow 20-1 (10-12) Keen hold, led after 1st to 7th, weakened after 9th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Alfasonic (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Dun Locha Castle (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased winner to 8th, weakened 13th, 3rd of 12, 20l behind Precious Bane (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Alfa Sunrise 20-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, jumped slowly 4th, outpaced 8th, stayed on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Golden Bay (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Peveril Pride 50-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 9th, behind when fell at the 14th in race won by Boardroom Dancer (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-88 (5) gd in Jan, 15 ran.
Up The Pub (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, led 15th, headed 3 out, one pace after, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Umbrella Man (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
Dr Mann (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) In touch, effort to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 4th of 12, 24l behind Tallow Bay (9-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Ebony Jack (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-1) Led to 8th, stayed tracking leaders, led before 12th, driven and headed before last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Tallow Bay (9-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Tallow Bay (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, challenged from 3 out, led before last, driven and stayed on well, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan beating Ebony Jack (11-1) by 9l, 12 ran.
Eastern Point 14-1 (11-6) Led to 3 out, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Cobreces (11-11) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (H) sft in Mar.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Heartache (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
