led to 7th, hit 14th, led again 15th, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, ran on
prominent to 6th, behind when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
behind, headway approaching 12th, blundered next, weakened 14th
pulled hard in rear, headway 4th, led 7th, blundered and headed 15th, soon weakened
in touch, led 2 out, driven out
mid-division, headway 3rd, mistake 10th, ridden and hit 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
held up, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, weakened after 11th
in touch, hit 9th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
Nonrunner
Martha's Kinsman looks the one to be on ahead of Dickensbury Lad, with Harrihawkan and Penny Pictures best of the rest. This beginners' chase will not take too much winning, with most having displayed only moderate form over hurdles in the past, and on latest evidence, Martha's Kinsman should take the beating. Henry Daly's seven-year-old, successful in a bumper and over timber, was struck into on his chase debut at Market Rasen in November, so did well to get round in third behind Julius Caesar. That was his first outing since April, and he has since chased home the useful Aleron at Catterick, with the third horse 19 lengths away, over a trip that was really on the short side for him. Back up in trip, and with some experience to call on, he should have the legs of Dickensbury Lad who was the only one to give the odds-on Taranis a race on his first stat for new connections at Ludlow last month. He should have no trouble opening his account before too long, and can give the selection most to do. Penny Pictures has taken on good company over hurdles in the past, but a watching brief is advised on him, while Harrihawkan needs more time. All in all, this is best left to Martha's Kinsman.
Dickensbury Lad (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leader, ridden when left in lead 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Taranis (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Jan.
Harrihawkan 7-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, hit 12th, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, well behind The Outlier (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Havit 100-1 (10-13) Soon in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ballyshan (11-6) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Jonanaud 50-1 (10-12) In rear, some headway 11th, jumped right and weakened 14th, blundered next, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-5) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Man From Highworth 16-1 (10-0) Chased leader approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 12l behind Crossbow Creek (10-8) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (B) gd in Jan '05.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up, chased winner approaching 8th, ridden after 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Aleron (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Jan.
Penny Pictures (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Prominent, led 8th to 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 14, 24l behind Attorney General (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Portavo (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders until after 6th, soon behind pulled up 2 out in race won by Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Sidcup's Gold (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, 33l behind Rosetown (10-1) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Jan.
The Muratti 100-1 (11-3) Jumped slowly 2nd, always behind, tailed off from 9th, 9th of 14, well behind Green Tango (11-3) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Lady Wurzel 125-1 (10-10) In touch until 5th, soon behind, 9th of 15, well behind Nero West (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lincoln Leader (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Kerrys Cross (11-9) at Gowran Park 2m 4f mdn hts chs gs in Apr '04, 18 ran.
Thyne Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, lost place 5th, tailed off from 7th, 7th of 10, well behind Tamarinbleu (11-1) at Ludlow 2m beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
