left tracking leader 1st, headway to challenge when left in lead of sole rival after 10th, made rest, pushed clear approaching last, readily
led and clear until narrow advantage when lost action and pulled up quickly after 10th
tracked leader until tried to refuse and unseated rider 1st
left 3rd and last 1st, left 2nd and sole rival after 10th, driven and outpaced by winner between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression
Nonrunner
Jonjo O'Neill's BADGER FOOT disappointed on his chasing debut at Newton Abbot last month but the better ground today is likely to bring about improvement in the five-year-old and he looks worth chancing in a race that should not take a great deal of winning with the main dangers rated as Over The Flow and Minella For Food. The Evan Williams-trained gelding showed improved form when winning well when landing a novices selling hurdle at Exeter last month and he has to be respected back over fences having been given a chance by the handicapper. Harry Chisman's Haoyunma has shown little sign of ability so far and of more interest is Liam Corcoran's Denny Mac, who should do better on this ground than on a slightly softer surface at Fontwell when last seen in November. Bob Buckler's Over The Flow has had plenty of chances and is yet to win a race but he has run some decent races in defeat and has to be considered but a better bet looks to be Badger Foot, who is taken to resume winning ways.
Badger Foot (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Led, jumped right throughout, not fluent 10th, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 35l behind Royal Kicks (10-3) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar.
Denny Mac (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, weakened approaching 11th, tailed off from 12th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Shaka's Pearl (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Over The Flow 14-1 (10-7) Led, headed 4th, ridden and mistake 7th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 13, 38l behind Dr Hart (10-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Haoyunma (IRE) 40-1 (10-1) Always in rear, ridden and struggling 7th, tailed off, 8th of 12, well behind Flower Haven (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Minella For Food (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased leader after 1st, still 2nd approaching 3 out, in lead when in view towards finish, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov sell hdl (5) gs in Mar beating Apocal (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
