in rear, struggling after 6th, behind when pulled up before 9th
always in rear, pulled up after 12th
held up, headway 8th, jumped left 9th and 10th, weakened before normal 2 out, tailed off
prominent, led 9th, headed but then left in lead normal 4 out, headed normal 2 out, weakened before omitted last, tailed off
in touch on outside, not much room 9th or 10th, slightly hampered normal 4 out, led normal 2 out, headed before omitted last, lost 2nd towards finish
soon led, headed 9th, led again when mistake and unseated rider normal 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake next and rider lost iron briefly, not fluent 7th, mistake 8th, headway after 12th, hampered normal 4 out, led before omitted last, soon clear, eased towards finish
jumped right at times, led early, chased leaders, not much room 9th, lost place after 12th, plugged on from omitted last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
prominent, jumped right and lost place 3rd, ridden after 6th, not fluent next, mistake 10th, tailed off when very slow 12th and soon pulled up
The market may prove the best guide for this with several of these having won between the flags recently. O’CEALLAIGH set a strong pace at Ludlow and only weakened approaching the last. He’s never won over fences but handled testing ground in Ireland and this slight drop in distance should suit. Kashmir Peak is entitled to go close on his best form, along with Alfstar, and Irish Anthem is another to consider but Magna Sam was a lucky winner at Ludlow and carries a penalty. Five Gold Bars is among the east exposed and looks best of the rest ahead of the disappointing Risk And Roll and Asylo.
Magna Sam 20-1 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 5th, led after 6th, headed next, disputing 1 1/2 lengths 2nd when not fluent and left in clear lead 2 out, won at Ludlow 3m (5) sft in Jan beating Wizards Bridge (12-6) by dist, 5 ran.
Alfstar 10-1 (11-7) (tt) a.p; led 2 out; stayed on wl, won at Bangor-on-dee 3m hvy in Jan beating Optimised (11-7) by 2l, 5 ran.
Asylo (IRE) 5-1 (12-7) Prom til blun & ur 8, at Sheriff Hutton 3m sft in Jan.
Irish Anthem (IRE) 2-1 (12-0) Led to 6 & 13 til hdd aft 15; wknd final 100yds, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Perfect Pirate (12-0) at Bangor-on-dee 3m hvy in Jan.
Kashmir Peak (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, left 2nd 9th, led before 4 out, headed flat, soon beaten and eased, 2nd of 4, 7 1/2l behind Minella Rocco (11-12) at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan.
O Ceallaigh (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Led, clear to before 7th, went clear again 10th to 12th, driven and headed last, ridden and kept on same pace in 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind The Dellercheckout (12-6) at Ludlow 3m (4) gs in Feb.
Risk And Roll (FR) 25-1 (12-0) (tt) lost plce 6; rallied aft 12; wknd 2 out, 4th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Shantou Flyer (11-9) at Larkhill 3m gs in Jan.
Waterloo Warrior (IRE) 9-4 (12-0) (tt) a.p; led 15; just held on, won at Revesby Park 3m gs in Jan beating Some Kinda Lama (12-0) by shd, 4 ran.
Berboru (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Lost tch 13; pu nxt, at Cocklebarrow 3m mdn gs in Jan.
Five Gold Bars (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Bhnd til hdwy bypassing 14; led 2 out; r.o wl, won at Buckfastleigh 3m hvy in Jan beating Gio's Girl (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
