in rear and in touch, headway before 12th, led 3 out, headed before last, regain lead run-in, kept on, driven out
tracked leader, led 7th, headed 9th, fell 13th
led to 7th, took keen hold, led again 9th, headed 3 out, weakened before last
held up in touch, in rear from 6th, blundered badly 5 out, headway 2 out, led before last, headed run-in, kept on
tracked leaders, pushed along weakened before 3 out
Thelobstercatcher was second in a four-runner race at Newton Abbot last week and has travelled a long way for this. But the grey's jumping still leaves much to be desired and these fences can be tricky to negotiate. RUFF DIAMOND's stamina has to be taken on trust but he clearly found 2m too sharp when third here last time and did win over 2m4f over hurdles at Carlisle in December. He gets the vote as stablemate Royal And Ancient isn't progressing and Captain Nash was pulled up at Newcastle last time, though did win over 3m over hurdles in Ireland.
Captain Nash (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 14th, soon weakened and tailed off and soon pulled up, in a race won by Harris Hawk (10-3) at Newcastle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs, 9 ran.
Ruff Diamond (USA) 5-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 1st and 4th, headway approaching 2 out, kept on after last, never nearer, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Pena Dorada (11-0) at Hexham 2m beg chase (5) gd.
The Bravetraveller (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked leader, led 6th, hit next, went left and headed 12th, weakened before next, tailed off, 7th of 10, 41l behind Petroglyph (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Thelobstercatcher 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, jumped right, mistake 9th, headway to go 2nd 8th, effort 4 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Mr Hudson (10-12) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f nov chs (3) gd.
Royal And Ancient (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Behind, mistake 3rd, pushed along 10th, soon beaten, 6th of 9, well behind Man Of Principles (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
