tracked leaders, 3rd and hit 9th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression when weakened into 4th run-in
led until before 2nd, chased leaders on inside, lost place 6th, pushed along in last pair after 8th, jumped slowly and reminder 4 out, rallied 2 out, went 3rd run-in, closed on 2nd but no chance with winner
led before 2nd, ridden and headed last, edged left then switched right and no extra run-in
tracking leaders on inside when hit 1st and stumbled, dropped to last pair, not fluent and behind at 5th, some headway when hit 7th, hit 8th and behind, hit next, no chance after but plugged on run-in
pulled hard early, held up in last pair, steady headway 6th, weakening when hit 2 out, tailed off
tracked leader 2nd, hit 4th, challenged out wide led and hit the last, ridden and hung left run-in, stayed on well
NonRunner
Straw Fan Jack is 2-2 over fences and his experience should stand him in good stead here, though this is a hot-looking contest. Soaring Glory could be a smart newcomer to chasing as he won the Betfair Hurdle here last year. Datsalrightgino was runner-up to a subsequent handicap winner on his chasing bow before winning at Chepstow at the start of the month while Aucunrisque won at Uttoxeter despite early mistakes. BALCO COASTAL beat Frere D'Armes over hurdles at Ludlow last season and placed later in Grade 2 and Grade 3 company. He looks a nice type for fences having already placed between the flags. Earth Company will find easier tasks in the coming months.
Straw Fan Jack 5-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led flat, edged right, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m (2) gd in Oct beating Ash Tree Meadow (11-12) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Datsalrightgino (GER) 3-1 (11-9) Led until before 2nd, prominent, not fluent 5th, led 5 out, clear last, easily, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Calico (11-10) by 7l, 6 ran.
Aucunrisque (FR) 4-6fav (11-2) Led, headed 6th, remained prominent, good jump and led 3 out, driven out run-in and always doing enough, won at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in Oct beating Jetoile (11-2) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Balco Coastal (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 21, 9 3/4l behind Langer Dan (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Earth Company (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened quickly before 2 out, 9th of 10, dist behind First Street (11-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Frere d'Armes (FR) 15-8fav (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, driven after 3 out, led before last, stayed on, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Haddex Des Obeaux (11-10) by 4l, 10 ran.
Soaring Glory (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, disputing held 2nd when mistake last, no extra run-in, 5th of 14, 4 1/2l behind Glory And Fortune (11-8) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) gs in Feb.
