tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, no extra approaching last
held up towards rear, ridden and some headway on outside after 5th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
led, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, no impression on winner when losing 2nd final 150 yards
tracked leaders, closed 3rd, ridden after 3 out, no extra flat
held up in mid-division, bad mistake 4th, nearly fell and unseated rider
pressed leader, ridden after 3 out, led before last where not fluent, held on well
tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 3rd, no extra last
mid-division, effort 5th, soon ridden, lost place before 3 out
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no extra before last
held up in rear, mistake 4th, not fluent next, headway after 3 out, went 2nd inside final 150 yards, stayed on, unable to catch winner
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 4th last, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 5th, soon ridden, well beaten 3 out
Sporting Boy has won four of his last five but has gone up a further 14lb since beating today's rival Meetings Man by eight lengths at Wetherby in November. The Betchworth Kid finished in mid-division in the Betfair Hurdle here three weeks ago but hasn't won over hurdles since 2009 while All The Aces has been a big disappointment and Princely Player and Meganisi need to improve on recent efforts. The Pier is starting to look well handicapped but probably needs a softer surface and Turn Of Sivola is proving difficult to place in handicaps, though should be in the firing-line again. CRY OF FREEDOM was making his seasonal reappearance when a close third to Ifandbutwhynot at Musselburgh last month. On last season's form, in particular a second to Ile De Re at Huntingdon, he has every chance here. Tango De Juilley is another who could improve for a comeback run.
Knight In Purple 5-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, driven to challenge 2 out, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Rajnagan (11-7) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Jun.
The Betchworth Kid 50-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, blundered 3 out, no chance after, 11th of 21, 28l behind My Tent Or Yours (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Feb.
Princely Player (IRE) 17-2 (10-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, weakened and eased before next, tailed off, last of 9, 48l behind African Gold (10-0) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Tango De Juilley (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Pulled hard in rear, effor 3 out, soon beaten, 8th of 13, 21l behind Kuilsriver (9-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) In touch, headway to chase leader 4 out, led approaching 3 out, came clear after 2 out, easily, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Meetings Man (11-1) by 8l, 15 ran.
All The Aces (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Reluctant to race, in rear, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Bourne (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Meganisi (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Raced wide, chased leading trio, went 3rd at 3rd, weakened 3 out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Barizan (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
A Bridge Too Far (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden and faded over 1f out, 6th of 12, 14l behind Karinga Dancer (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (5) std in Jan.
Meetings Man (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway and in touch when mistake 4 out, chased leaders before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 8l behind Sporting Boy (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Turn Over Sivola (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, left modest 3rd and hampered last, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Whitby Jack (10-5) at Kempton 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Cry of Freedom (USA) 11-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
The Pier (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) In touch on outside, switched inside before 2 out, soon outpaced, weakened before last, 12th of 15, 26l behind Mr Watson (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan.
Zafranagar (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In touch, lost place 4 out, 6th of 8, 25l behind Eastlake (11-10) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Sonoran Sands (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Mid-division, some headway before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, blundered last, 8th of 13, 32l behind Lexi's Boy (11-1) at Sandown 2m 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft in Apr.
