held up in touch on outside, headway chasing leaders 5th, weakened after 7th, losing touch when mistake 8th, tailed off when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
patiently ridden and held up in rear in touch, good headway tracking leaders after 5th, led 7th, clear going well before 3 out, went left last, easily
made most, hit 3rd, headed 7th, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, lost 2nd before next, chased leading pair until went left and weakened next
chased leaders, 3rd approaching 8th, 2nd before 3 out, no chance with easy winner
chased leaders on inside, losing place when jumped badly left 5th and next, driven and struggling in rear before 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
slowly away, recovered on outside to join leaders 3rd went 2nd 4th until approaching 7th, chased leading pair until approaching next, ridden and weakened after 4 out
raced wide, chased leader until 4th, hit next and lost place, outpaced in last pair 7th, rallied into 3rd 2 out, one pace
Mr Muddle was very consistent last season and is sure to have benefited from his third at Fontwell earlier this month. Doitforthevillage found the company too hot last time at Ludlow but had won a novices’ handicap over course and distance before that. It’s more than two years since Rock On Rocky won a race but he’s only found one too good the last twice, though was beaten by CAPE CASTER at Ffos Las last month. Evan Williams’ charge has another 5lb to carry today but Conor Ring’s claim wipes out most of that and the six-year-old can beat the more-exposed After Hours and Astigos.
Cape Caster (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out mistake 2 out, led last, kept on, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Rock On Rocky (11-4) by 5l, 5 ran.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 4-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, outpaced 7th, headway when badly blundered 3 out, no danger after, 5th of 8, 25l behind Colin's Brother (10-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Mr Muddle 10-1 (11-10) Took keen hold, tracked leaders went 2nd 6th, pushed along and every chance before 3 out, ridden in 3rd before next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Bishops Court (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
After Hours (IRE) 6-5fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Dream Bolt (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Astigos (FR) 8-1 (11-9) In rear and in touch, blundered 2nd, reminders after 3rd, weakened before 6 out, 3rd of 5, 37l behind Cape Caster (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Rock On Rocky 3-1 (11-9) Ridden away from start, in rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced and no impression 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, left 3rd last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Special Wells (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Tara Bridge 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped right 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Dream Bolt (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
