keen made most, ridden 3 lengths clear 3 out, ridden out
in touch, went 3rd at 4th, ridden 4 out, chased winner when jumped left 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, reminders 3rd, dropped to rear 6th, behind from 4 out
in touch, ridden and outpaced before 3 out
with winner, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
Gordon Elliott's record here is there for all to see and Lord Redsgirth has 10lb in hand of his main rival on official ratings. However, the course winner is not the most doughty battler when the chips are down and while he may win, he'll probably represent little in the way of value. Fellow Irish raider, SEAN AIRGEAD, has taken well to the larger obstacles, just losing out in a protracted duel with Flinty Bay at Hexham in awful conditions before moving into handicap company at Uttoxeter when outpointing Delgany Gunner. Those efforts came over further but he was capable over hurdles at this trip and represents a value option. The remainder make their chasing debuts and if Tito Bustillo could recapture his very useful hurdles form when with Paul Nicholls, then he'd certainly be an interesting recruit to fences.
Lord Redsgirth (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Waited with, well off pace, closer order from after 4 out, 3rd and effort approaching last, soon no impression and kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 7l behind Raptor (11-12) at Wexford 2m 1f chs sft.
Sean Airgead (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up behind in touch, tracked leaders on inside 10th, joined leader going well after 2 out (usual 4 out), driven to lead narrowly when jumped left last, ridden flat, just held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Delgany Gunner (10-4) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Highland Love 15-2 (11-12) Held up, reminder after 3rd, not fluent and lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Avanos (9-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft, 7 ran.
Tito Bustillo (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Close up on outside, tracked winner after 4 out, outpaced 2 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Afsoun (11-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Tough Talkin Man (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, edged left between last 2, headed before last, ridden and no impression with winner flat, weakened into 4th towards finish, 4th of 9, 16l behind Constant Contact (11-9) at Cartmel 2m 1f Ladies Handicap Hurdle (0-135) (4yo+) (3) gs.
