chased leader, led approaching 2 out, joined when hit last, stayed on until headed and no extra final 75 yards
went right 1st, led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened soon after
raced wide, chased leading pair until 6th, outpaced and driven after 3 out, rallied to 3rd approaching 2 out, challenged and not fluent last, stayed on gamely to lead final 75 yards
in touch, ridden and outpaced 3 out, plugged on from next, no chance
always towards rear, ridden after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off
went right 1st, close up, went 3rd 6th, switched right approaching 2 out, every chance last, weakened flat
in touch, went right 4th, ridden in 4th after 3 out, weakened soon after
not fluent, always behind, reminders 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off
always in rear, struggling 5th, soon tailed off
held up in last quartett, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off
None of the newcomers make much appeal in this and Young Valentino is also worth opposing. Bumper winner Just Cloudy hasn't shown much in two starts over timber and Journeyman clearly isn't one of Nicky Henderson's stable stars but there are possibilities about Penchesco, in the frame here and at Kempton in the autumn, and Gurtacrue. The latter has been placed in all three starts over hurdles and has already won a point-to-point and a NH Flat race. Coolbeg was tailed off at Towcester last time, however, and a better bet is ALLERFORD JACK. Caroline Keevil's gelding made a pleasing start to his hurdling career when fifth here last month and was a staying-on fourth at Taunton two weeks ago when held up off the pace. If ridden closer to the action here, the seven-year-old may be the one to beat.
Allerford Jack 11-2 (10-13) Took keen hold in touch, headway on inside before 6th, 4th after 3 out, ridden before next, disputing 3rd last, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Dark Lover (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Coolbeg (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, ridden to challenge approaching next, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 42l behind Pret A Thou (11-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Gurtacrue (IRE) 5-2 (11-5) Led until 5th, every chance after 3 out, not fluent next, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 14, 22l behind Whoops A Daisy (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Journeyman (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 32l behind Sprinter Sacre (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Just Cloudy 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, hard driven approaching next, soon one pace, 5th of 14, 46l behind Highland Valley (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Penchesco (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, chased leading pair between last 2, edged right last, ridden and kept on flat, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Iolith (10-12) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Petit Ecuyer (FR) (10-10) 98th of 4, 4l behind Fair Attitude (10-8) at Evreux(FR) 1m 4f hcp gs in Sep (flat).
Private Patient (IRE) Glacial Storm gelding out of Blenheim Run.
Young Valentino 33-1 (9-7) Tracked leaders, lost place when jumping slowly 3rd, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mayolynn (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Sir William Orpen 12-1 (8-6) Pulled hard towards rear, headway over 1f out, ridden and weakened inside final furlong, 7th of 8, 7l behind Suhailah (8-11) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-65 (6) pol in Feb (flat).
