took keen hold, held up in last trio, headway 4th, reminders before 6th, pushed along in 6th after next, ridden after 3 out, weakening when mistake next
chased leader until ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along after 3rd, jumped slowly next, behind 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before next
held up in last pair, steady headway on inside before 3 out, chased leaders before next, 2nd and mistake 2 out, plugged on, no chance with winner
led until approaching 2 out, soon hunt left and lost 2nd, ridden and kept on same pace between last 2
held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 7th, struggling before 2 out, went modest 5th close home
mid-division, behind 5th, tailed off when went left 7th, pulled up before next
chased leaders on inside, 2nd approaching 3 out, switched right before 2 out, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, easily
chased leaders on outside, 2nd on long run before 3 out until approaching 3 out, chased leaders, ridden and one pace in 4th after 2 out, weakened and lost places towards finish
held up in last pair, stayed on into never dangerous 4th towards finish
Willow's Saviour has returned to hurdling this season after a spell chasing. He showed he retains some ability when second last time at Taunton while Western Climate and Justification arrive off the back of respective recent wins at Hereford and Sandown. Hello George has been lightly raced in recent years but is sure to improve on his run at Exeter, where he was a shade keen. Spice Fair and OSCARTEEA were behind Willow's Saviour last time and the former has only won once over timber, though has claims on the pick of his form. Neil Mulholland’s charge should now be approaching peak fitness, however, so gets the vote to come out on top today with this more galloping track likely to see him in a better light.
Willow's Saviour 10-1 (11-4) Held up in touch in rear, headway before 2 out, went 2nd and kept on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Verni (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Western Climate (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Led, headed after 1st, chased leader, led last, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) hvy in Feb beating Gayebury (11-11) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Oscarteea (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) In touch towards rear, headway 3 out, chasing leaders next, no extra flat, 5th of 10, 9l behind Verni (10-13) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Spice Fair 10-1 (11-11) Mid-division, pushed along briefly 3rd, headway 7th, not fluent 2 out, no extra final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 5l behind Persian Delight (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Pressed leader, led 4th, hit 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, chased winner until approaching 2 out, weakened and hung left soon after, 9th of 14, dist behind Theligny (10-4) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Justification 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, tracked leading pair 4th, led travelling well 2 out, clear before the last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Wicked Willy (11-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
Grape Tree Flame 12-1 (12-1) In touch, mistake and lost place 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, last of 7, 33 3/4l behind Theatre Goer (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Hello George (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Raced keenly, tracked winner after 3rd until approaching 3 out, chased leaders, left disputing 2nd 3 out, ridden and no impression in 3rd when hung left before the last, weakened run-in, 5th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Space Oddity (10-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Agincourt Reef (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) Slowly away, in rear, headway into mid-division after 3rd, struggling 8th, never near leaders, 6th of 13, 35 1/2l behind Kk Lexion (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Shanty Town (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, headway after 4 out, one pace next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into 3rd flat, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 8, 9 1/2l behind Skipthecuddles (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.
