led, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed after next, weakened last
in touch, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after next, weakened after last
held up in touch on inside, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied after next, stayed on into 2nd after last, not pace to challenge
prominent, hit 6th and 7th, not fluent 3 out soon every chance, led just after next, blundered last, ran on
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
The veteran Ted Veale had a tremendous career in Ireland and won the County Hurdle in 2013. He's been in winning form between the flags since moving yards so may be capable of winning again though probably over fences. Warren Greatrex has just the one runner here today, MAHLERVOUS (NAP), and though the six-year-old didn't run very well at Aintree last time his earlier effort when beaten a length at Cheltenham would probably be good enough and the ground is in his favour. Sky Khan is reasonably consistent and has managed to win four times over hurdles though he generally races at a slightly lower level. It's a long time since Katgary won a race and he ran over fences on his reappearance but Uptown Funk ran his best race for a while at Musselburgh last time.
Aristo Du Plessis (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, mistake next, effort 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 9, 22 3/4l behind Normal Norman (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Ted Veale (IRE) 5-6fav (12-5) Hdwy 13; no ex 3 out, 4th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Gran Paradiso (12-5) at Alnwick 3m gd in Jan.
Sky Khan 20-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, headway when switched right before 2 out, not clear run and switched left before last, kept on, 4th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Teescomponents Lad (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mahlervous (IRE) 9-4fav (10-5) Chased leaders on inside, hit 4th, mistake 7th, soon ridden, lost place before 2 out, 6th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Midnight Shadow (11-10) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Craig Star (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked winner, driven and lost place after 3 out, ridden and no impression from after next, 5th of 8, 18l behind Dimple (11-7) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Katgary (FR) 6-1 (12-5) In touch, tracked leader 4th, led 7th to after next, outpaced by front pair before 2 out, soon ridden, well held between last 2, weakened and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 18l behind Charmant (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Uptown Funk (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) With leader, mistake 8th, outpaced 3 out, rallied into 2nd after next, kept on well under pressure, 3rd of 5, 2 3/4l behind Jet Master (10-5) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
