chased winner until not fluent 6th, 2nd again next, not fluent 2 out, no extra in 3rd before last, lost 3rd flat
made all, not fluent 6th or 4 out, ridden after 2 out, clear last, stayed on
mid-division, closed 6th, 6th and struggling 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 4 out, weakened before next
always behind
chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, no extra in 4th before last, went 3rd flat
in touch in mid-division, closed 3 out, 5th and wide 2 out, weakened before last
held up in mid-division, well beaten 3 out
mid-division on outside, weakened before 4 out, well tailed off before 3 out, pulled up after
in rear until fell 4 out
towards rear, some headway 4 out, no impression in 7th 2 out, soon weakened
in touch in mid-division, closed to chase winner 6th until 4 out, went 2nd again after 2 out, no impression on winner when jumping left last
The market is best watched regarding David Pipe’s French import Arkadios, who makes his hurdling debut after a lengthy absence. Ain't No Limits was third at Market Rasen on Boxing Day but will probably need more before opening his account. STRONG PURSUIT (NAP) looked one to follow when outpacing the odds-on Chocala at Wincanton. He’ll make an even better chaser but can pay his way over the smaller obstacles this season and is preferred to Tom George’s Southwell maiden winner Sandymount off level weights. More Than Luck might have more luck in handicaps.
Sandymount (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside and always going well, 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, clear when ridden and edged left before the last, driven out, won at Southwell 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec beating Earlshill (11-0) by 2l, 12 ran.
Strong Pursuit (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Led 1st, clear approaching last, stayed on well, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Dec beating Chocala (11-8) by 9l, 16 ran.
Ain't No Limits (FR) 11-1 (10-12) Close up, outpaced 3 out, ridden and headway approaching last, stayed on to go 3rd, 3rd of 14, 15 1/4l behind Bandsman (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Arkadios (FR) 14-1 (9-6) 9th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Yume (9-2) at Deauville 1m 1f hcp gd in Mar.
Bandon Bridge (IRE) 3-1 (12-1) Rcd 3rd, 4th frm 7th, 3l 3rd 3out until rddn in 4th well aftr 3out, cl en 5th but btn bef 2out, no ex, 4th of 7, 8l behind Theatre Princess (11-5) at Bandon 3m hvy in Feb.
Chevalgris 50-1 (9-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 10th of 14, 10 3/4l behind Magic Circle (8-7) at Haydock 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Diamond Fort (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 14, 31 3/4l behind Agamemmon (11-0) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Nov.
Maximus Maridius 100-1 (11-0) Led, headed approaching 3 out, weakened quickly after 3 out, well beaten when blundered last, 6th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Elgin (11-5) at Kempton 2m (2) gd in Dec.
More Than Luck (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Prominent until 3rd, soon ridden along towards rear, closed on outside from 4 out, no impression before next, 7th of 15, 19 3/4l behind Perfect Pirate (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Seldom Heard 100-1 (11-7) In touch until after 5th, well behind when mistake 3 out, 12th of 14, dist behind Templier (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Shemalzan (FR) (9-2) 2nd of 6, hd behind Valencin (9-2) at Bordeaux Le Bouscat 1m 4f gd in May.
Tarrona 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 1st, not fluent next, well behind 3 out, last of 13, dist behind Midnight Maestro (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Town Parks (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, mistake 4th, some headway before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, dist behind Willoughby Court (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Buggi (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, not always fluent, struggling after 4th, well behind 4 out, pulled up after, at Lingfield 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Stealing Mix 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened over 4f out, soon pulled up, at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
