in touch, ridden after 8th, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, reminders after 7th, every chance when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
behind, stayed on well from last, not reached leaders
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, kept on same pace from 3 out
in touch, close up when blundered 9th, led narrowly 2 out, kept on, driven out
mid-division, hit 8th, effort 4 out, one pace from next
prominent, led 6th until 8th, chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 2 out
mid-division until 8th, behind and pulled up before 3 out
not always fluent, in touch, hit 6th, driven along from 8th, kept on same pace from 3 out
led until 6th, led again 8th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on flat, no extra close home
always behind
Arumun gets a narrow vote over Pardishar, Witness Run and Flight Command, with Bill's Echo and Stan not entirely out of it. Nothing catches the eye too much here, but Arumun seems to be going the right way, and is taken to put his older rivals in the shade. Michael Scudamore's six-year-old looked one to follow when making a winning debut over fences at Haydock in October, and since then has been tried over a variety of trips without success. He had no chance at the weights when second of three to the long odds-on Killaghy Castle at Sandown a fortnight ago, but has conditions to suit today, and this trip looks just right. Pardishar has won over hurdles round here in the past and is not badly treated compared to his last victory at Taunton 12-months ago, so he is on the short-list. Witness Run is interesting as well, as he would not have liked the rain-softened ground at Ascot last time but still ran well to hang on for second. This slight drop back in trip on faster ground will suit, and he too has to command respect. Flight Command is now a stone lower in the weights than two years ago but seems hard to win with these days, always finding one or two a bit too good, while Stan needs some respite from the handicapper. Bills Echo likewise, although he has only been seen out once this season and could improve. For the winner we return to Arumun.
Bonus Bridge (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Mid-division until 7th, soon behind, 8th of 12, 48l behind Jericho III (11-2) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Stan (NZ) 9-4fav (11-7) Led until narrowly headed 4th, regained lead 8th, jumped right and headed last, rallied as winner idled near finish, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Offemont (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Bill's Echo 7-2 (11-12) Held up, niggled from 7th, went 4th approaching 11th, no further impression from 3 out, 4th of 9, 21l behind Malaga Boy (10-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Neltina 40-1 (11-0) Led, jumped left 4 out, weakened and headed after 3 out, 5th of 6, well behind Tamarinbleu (11-0) at Ascot 2m 5f chs (2) gs in Dec.
Allumee 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up in race won by Opera Mundi (10-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Flight Command 8-1 (11-9) Raced in mid-division on outside, headway 5th, left in lead 8th, headed last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Marshall Hall (10-0) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Arumun (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Tracked leader until mistake 3rd, regained 2nd 9th, challenged and blundered 3 out, chased winner after, no impression between last 2, 2nd of 3, 3l behind Killaghy Castle (11-6) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Witness Run (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 10th, left in lead 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, no extra, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Fast Forward (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Pardishar (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders between last 2, kept on, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Magic Sky (10-12) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Glengarra (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased winner until 12th, gradually weakened, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Whereareyounow (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Theseus (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden after 9th, soon lost touch, mistake and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Jurado Express (11-12) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
