led until 5th, slightly hampered next, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 7th, ridden to lead before 2 out, clear before last, stayed on well, driven out
held up and behind, some headway in 6th after 3 out, never involved
chased leaders on inside, lost place 6th, mistake next, rallied from 2 out, stayed on into 3rd towards finish, no chance with winner
raced wide, held up, ridden and struggling after 6th, never on terms
chased leaders on outside, led 6th until after 3 out, weakened before next
soon well behind, tailed off pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 5th, jumped left and headed next, chased leader, led again after 3 out, headed on long run before next, soon lost 2nde, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, ridden to lead before 2 out until 2 out, chased winner, held when blundered and lost 2nd last, weakened into 4th towards finish
keen, held up, headway chasing leaders 6th, pushed along when slightly hampered before next, modest 4th on long run before 2 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
Landscape has the form to figure in a race like this but it’s more than five years since he was last in the winner’s enclosure. Richardofdoccombe has only gone up 2lb for a half-length defeat at Uttoxeter last month so comes into the reckoning. Stolberg was in the process of running his best race so far for Dai Williams when falling at Plumpton while Scartare is plummeting down the handicap but Rocket Ronnie is going backwards. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY is bidding for a first win over hurdles since 2015 but he’s not been running badly on the all-weather and this looks a modest finale.
Black Anthem (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Towards rear, behind 6th, pulled up before next, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Stolberg (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway bypassing omitted 7th, went 2nd and every chance when stumbled on landing and fell after last (normal 3 out), at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Project Mars (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Soon towards rear, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Jully Les Buxy (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Bohemian Rhapsody (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Shine Baby Shine (10-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rocket Ronnie (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Mistake 4th, always behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Robin Of Locksley (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) hvy in Jan.
Landscape (FR) 9-2 (10-10) Raced on inside, led until headed well before 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Not Never (11-12) at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hit The Headlines (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, reminder after 5th, ridden 7th, behind 10th, 5th of 8, 25 1/4l behind Miss Oscarose (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Filatore (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Chased (clear) winner, closed 4 out, pushed along and lost 2nd next, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Robin Of Locksley (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f (5) hvy in Jan.
Richardofdoccombe (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Pressed winner, strong challenge when mistake 2 out, stayed on, edged left towards finish, held close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Comber Mill (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Scartare (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Behind, mistake 1st, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Rif Raftou (11-0) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Dec.
