chased leaders, chased leader 2nd until 4th, remained in close 3rd, went 2nd again before 3 out, led before last, stayed on well flat
held up of fthe pace in 6th, headway to chase leaders 5th, outpaced in dispute of 5th when went left and mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in 5t, headway to chase leader 4th, led 6th, pushed along before 3 out, headed before dropped to 3rd and blundered last, kept on same pace flat, closed on eased down 2nd near line, no chance with winner
always off the pace towards rear, ridden and struggling before 6th, soon tailed off
led at strong pace and soon clear, reduced lead 3rd, headed 6th, chased leader until weakened before 3 out
well in rear, outpaced and struggling before 5th, soon tailed off, mistakes final 3
towards rear, ridden before 6th, some headway when hit 4 out, weakened well before next, tailed off
well off the pace towards rear, struggling and tailed off 4 out
chased leading trio, reminders after 4th and next, soon weakened, tailed off
chased clear leader until 2nd, chased leaders, well outpaced disputing 5th when mistake 4 out, went distant 4th flat
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner when eased in closing stages and just held on for 2nd
BRAVE SPARTACUS has won four times over fences since December so it's a surprise to see him in a novices' hurdle as he's on a 48lb lower mark over timber so it would have been expected that he would be in a handicap. Keith Reveley will have his reasons for running him here and the opposition doesn't look strong enough to stop him. Gas Line Boy has been disappointing since his debut success over timber but Annacotty looked a fine prospect for Martin Keighley on his hurdling debut at Chepstow though conceding weight to the selection won't be easy. Our Joey is highly regarded by connections and could provide the main threat as he won easily at Kelso and has a very competent claimer in the saddle.
Annacotty (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Led to 1st, tracked leader, led again before 4th, made rest, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Feb beating Moorlands Mist (11-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Gas Line Boy (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Led, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 12, 9l behind Wilton Milan (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Our Joey (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, closed 4th, led 6th, clear last, stayed on, won at Kelso 2m 6f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan beating Tikkandemickey (11-2) by 13l, 7 ran.
Bold Slasher (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, outpaced before next, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 10, well behind Imperial Vic (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Made all, clear to 9th, driven 3 out, 5 lengths clear when hit last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Quite The Man (10-12) by 9l, 6 ran.
Crushed Ice 20-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 14, 39l behind Boruler (10-11) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct '11.
Hot Spice 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, never near leaders, 5th of 14, 20l behind Supreme Asset (11-8) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Mighty Mobb (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced from 6th, 6th of 13, 33l behind Timesishard (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Moss Cloud (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Led, ridden and joined 2f out, headed inside final furlong, kept on, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Izzini (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs.
Twin Barrels 100-1 (10-9) In touch, headway 7th, plugged on same pace from 2 out, 6th of 14, 25l behind Diamond Sweeper (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar '12.
Nowdoro 100-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 12, 41l behind Whispering Gallery (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
