chased leaders in 4th, pushed along after 3 out, weakened on long run before next
held up and always in rear, never a factor, tailed off
in touch in 5th, awkward 3rd and 4 out, pushed along before 2 out, rallied on wide outside into 2nd at the last, stayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards
led and disputed, headed 3 out, rallied to lead again between last 2, hit last, headed and no extra final 50 yards
led and disputed, led 3 out until headed between last 2, chased leader until last, 3rd and one pace run-in
raced keenly, tracked leading pair, weakened after last
held up in 5th, headway on wide outside chasing leaders before 3 out, outpaced before next
Three four-year-olds take on the older horses with Teaser looking the pick of the trio. David Pipe’s charge was third at Ludlow on only his second run in a handicap, though he’ll need to prove he handles soft ground. Poucor will definitely handle conditions and won at Hereford in January so is preferred to Bodes Well and the five-year-old Midnight Midge as the latter was still beaten 11 lengths when second to an in-form rival at Exeter earlier this month. OXWICH BAY seemed to appreciate the return to hurdling at Ludlow and, equipped with cheekpieces here, can end his losing run.
Oxwich Bay (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up off the pace towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, 4th and held when hit 2 out, 4th of 12, 9 1/2l behind Flashing Glance (12-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Feb.
On The Rox (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Collooney (11-2) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
Marmont 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd when not fluent 4 out, every chance before last, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Acaro (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Midnight Midge 3-1 (10-13) Chased leader, led after 4th, mistake 5th, joined 2 out, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 6, 11l behind Smarty Wild (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Teaser 6-1 (10-12) With leader, led after 3rd, headed narrowly before 3 out, ridden when carried left between last 2, no extra in 3rd flat, 3rd of 7, 5 1/2l behind Hijran (12-1) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Poucor 6-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, led after 1st, hit next, headed on long run before 2 out, weakened quickly soon after, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Belargus (10-12) at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Jan.
Bodes Well (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Led, not fluent 4th, hit 3 out, pushed along and joined 2 out, headed before the last, weakened run-in, 5th of 7, 15 3/4l behind Groveman (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Jan.
