in rear, pushed along 2nd, headway before 5th, hit 3 out, soon outpaced, rallied 2 out, led approaching last, driven out
well in touch in mid-division, not fluent 2nd, headway 3rd, hit 3 out, went 2nd next, led well before last, headed and blundered last, no extra towards finish
in touch in mid-division, not fluent 3 out, not clear run and headway after next, stayed on under pressure flat to take 2nd towards finish
led 1st, soon headed, prominent, pushed along after 4th, no impression after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
took keen hold, prominent, led 4th, soon headed, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, lost 2nd with slow jump 2 out, soon weakened
in touch in mid-division, no impression after 2 out, stayed on to take 4th flat
in rear, not fluent 4th, headway after 3 out, weakened after next, tailed off
led until jumped slowly 1st, soon nearly took wrong course but led again, headed 4th, soon led again, headed well before last, no extra
Nonrunner
Ardesia has been in good heart of late winning his last two starts, both over course and distance, and has every chance of completing the hat-trick despite having to race off an 8lb higher mark than last time but the softer ground today is a concern and preference is for WENSLEYDALE WEB, who gets the vote ahead of King Benny. The last mentioned is relatively unexposed after just seven career starts and Elliott Cooper's gelding makes his British debut having shown some promise in Ireland, including on testing ground. Peter Niven's Beat The Shower was a winner on soft going on the level so should not be inconvenienced by the underfoot conditions and makes more appeal than Prize Fighter, who has been disappointing of late. Weetfromthechaff remains a maiden under all codes after 31 career starts so looks best watched in a race taken to go to Wensleydale Web. Martin Todhunter's mare showed improvement at Cartmel last time and she looks worth siding with on ground that suits.
Beat The Shower 11-1 (10-10) Towards rear, jumped slowly 1st, mistake next, reminders after 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd after last, one pace, no impression, 3rd of 11, 11l behind Sir Frank (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in May.
Weetfromthechaff 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous, last of 9, well behind Open de L'Isle (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Bollin Ruth 22-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, soon struggling, 6th of 9, 31l behind Ardesia (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Ardesia (IRE) 7-4fav (10-6) Made most, mistake 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd beating Golden Future (11-1) by 4l, 9 ran.
King Benny (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Never a factor, 14th of 22, 28l behind Colbert Station (10-9) at Leopardstown 2m 4f hcp hdl 8Evens23 hvy in Jan.
Wensleydale Web 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Ardesia (10-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Prize Fighter (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, some headway after 3 out, mistake and struggling next, 7th of 12, 21l behind Crazy Bold (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Hair of The Dog 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, fell 4th, in a race won by Braddock Island (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Guerilla (AUS) 20-1 (10-2) In rear, not fluent 1st, pushed along 3rd, soon detached and struggling, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Harry Flashman (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf, 6 ran.
