soon lost good early place, reminder after 2nd, struggling 5th, remote 4th 3 out
held up, went 2nd before 3rd, led approaching 2 out, edged left last, soon headed, led again flat, edged left, stayed on
led 1st, edged left before 4th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, quickly closed before 5th, went 2nd and not fluent 2 out, challenged last, soon led, headed and carried left flat, held towards finish
led until 1st, behind 4th, pulled up before 3 out
always behind
chased leaders, struggling 5th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
The Steward is eased in grade but has a penalty for winning a Cartmel handicap in August. The interesting one is INDUNO, who wasn’t hard pressed to land a Ffos Las bumper last month and looks a nice prospect for jumping. Stonific won four times on the Flat so can’t be ignored but fellow hurdling newcomer Presentandcounting will almost certainly need further having won a point back in January.
The Steward (USA) 16-1 (10-4) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened between last 2, 5th of 7, 21 3/4l behind Elvis Mail (11-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Induno (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Held up, steady progress over 4f out, led just over 1f out, ridden out, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct beating Mario De Pail (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Presentandcounting (IRE) 7-4 (12-2) Ld frm 1st, jmp wll, 25l adv by 7th, red adv aftr 2out, 12l adv gng best bef last where slow, sow, won at Aghabullogue 3m mdn gd in Jan beating De Hollow Man (12-2) by 12l, 10 ran.
Stonific (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) In touch in rear, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on to press for poor 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Battle Of Marathon (9-8) at Musselburgh 1m 4f stks (4) sft in Oct.
The Honeydipper (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in touch on inside, pushed along over 3f out, soon beaten, 9th of 12, 12l behind Dragon Bones (10-5) at Worcester 2m (5) gs in Oct.
Trois Bon Amis (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Led, mistake 3rd, headed after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Ribble Valley (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Urban Spirit (IRE) 16-1 (8-13) Tracked leader until ridden over 4f out, soon eased, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Cornerstone Lad (9-9) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
