made all, 10 lengths clear 5 out, hard ridden 2 out, stayed on gamely
prominent, blundered 2nd, soon lost place, under pressure 7th, plugged on, moderate 4th
held up, slow 7th, soon detatched, pulled up 4 out
held up towards rear, slow 6th, mistake 10th, soon weakened, pulled up 5 out
chased leader, effort 3 out, kept on under pressure after last, never reached winner
prominent, mistake 3rd, under pressure 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out
pulled hard in touch, under pressure 5 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never a threat
held up towards rear, driven 10th, mistake 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
ROYAL GUARDSMAN won on this card over hurdles 12 months ago and loves it here. He wasn't beaten far when third over fences on the track a couple of years ago and is only a pound higher – a return to familiar surroundings could bring out the best in him again. Exmoor Mist unseated his rider at Kempton when chasing a hat-trick but won over 2m here in December and has the beating of Allow Dallow on the form book. Hughesie arrives off the back of a win at Sedgefield but that was back in November and this is much more competitive. Trojan Star was let down by his jumping last time at Kempton but would be a danger to all if getting his act together and he still looks well handicapped with Tom Bellamy taking off 3lb. Florida Calling may be best of the rest.
Johnny Og 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, not much room and lost place after 4th, lost touch when hit 7th, soon pulled up, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Royal Guardsman (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Prominent, lost place before 5 out, behind when pulled up before next, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Hughesie (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) In touch, headway before 2 out, led before last, held on near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Rear Admiral (10-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Take A Break (FR) 33-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, 6th of 12, 11 3/4l behind Presenting Arms (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Exmoor Mist 4-1 (11-7) Prominent, disputing 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 8th, at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Florida Calling (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened last, 4th of 14, 14 1/2l behind Whataknight (10-12) at Taunton 3m (4) gs in Dec.
Trojan Star (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, challenging when not fluent 7th, not fluent 4 out, lost 2nd 3 out, one pace and beaten from next, left 2nd last, 2nd of 11, 12l behind Always On The Run (11-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
So Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mid-division, effort before 5th, not fluent next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Lucky Jim 9-2 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Megara (8-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Allow Dallow (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 9th, pushed along and one pace in 5th before next, plugged on run-in, 5th of 7, 26 3/4l behind Exmoor Mist (11-2) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
