raced keenly, chased leaders, led after 8th, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd approaching last
chased leaders on outside, led before 7th, hung right on bend and headed after next, chased leaders, rallied into 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 8th, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders 8th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2
keen in rear, steady headway after 3 out, weakened quickly before next
led until before 7th, chased leaders, weakened 9th
towards rear, in rear and reminders after 6th, headway on inside before 3 out, ridden after 3 out, plugged on in 4th between last 2
chased leaders, weakened after 7th, behind when mistake next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and lost place after 5th, towards rear and no chance after
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, pushed along and weakened before 2 out
always prominent and raced keenly, led before 2 out, ridden and wandered between last 2, clear before last, ridden out
Dovils Date has won five times over hurdles but not since 2016 and was he was tailed off when last seen at Wincanton in October. Costante Via placed twice at Uttoxeter in December but is still seeking a first victory, which RODEO DODO at Wetherby last month. Harry Skelton’s gelding won over this trip between the flags and can defy a 5lb rise. Heavenly Promise is better over fences but this is his time of year and a case can also be made for Bentons Lad.
Dovils Date 15-8fav (11-2) Pressed winner until pushed along and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, soon hung right and weakened, blundered last, last of 4, dist behind Cahill (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) fm in Oct.
Costante Via (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 4 out, every chance before next, not pace of winner next, held after, stayed on final 100 yards, 2nd of 15, 1 1/4l behind Oliver's Island (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Bentons Lad 16-1 (10-11) Led, hit 2nd, headed 6th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 3 out, mistake next, 5th of 7, 22 3/4l behind Black Buble (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Hahadi (IRE) 250-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, 6th of 13, dist behind Breaking Waves (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f (4) gs in Feb.
Rodeo Dodo (IRE) 5-1cfav (10-8) Held up towards rear, smooth headway tracking leaders before 3 out, went 2nd going well 2 out, left in lead between last 2, ridden clear and hung left run-in, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Feb beating Sigurd (11-9) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Boher Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Towards rear of mid-division, plugged on from approaching 2 out, never on terms, 9th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Uno Mas (12-5) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Bignorm (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) In rear, struggling 4 out, plugged on from 2 out to take modest 5th before last, 5th of 15, 20 1/4l behind Oliver's Island (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Cavalry Scout (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders on outside, led before 4 out, not fluent next, soon headed, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, dist behind Top Man Tim (11-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Heavenly Promise (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway under pressure after 4 out, ridden to chase leaders after next, kept on, never pace to challenge, 4th of 9, 9l behind L'Es Fremantle (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Arboretum 22-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, left 4th when hampered 5th, chased front pair 11th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, mistake next, soon well beaten, 3rd of 5, dist behind Away For Slates (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Sundance Boy 33-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, hit 4th, headway 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 16, 29 1/4l behind Silver Quay (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
