held up towards rear, pushed along and slightly outpaced after 5th, headway approaching 3 out, stayed on well run-in, just failed
steadied start, took keen hold, always in rear
chased leaders, chased leader 3rd, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3rd, weakened after 3 out
not fluent 2nd, always behind
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, outpaced next, kept on well run-in, just held
chased leader until 3rd chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 4 out, kept on same pace in 4th run-in
chased leaders, led 3 out, strongly pressed near finish, kept on gamely, all out
mid-division, weakened 4 out
not fluent 4th, always towards rear, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before next, 5th and one pace run-in
mid-division, headway on inside chasing leaders when hit 6th, weakened after next
made most until 3 out, chased winner until weakened run-in
This looks far from straightforward with a number of potentially interesting sorts returning to action after a lay-off and much will depend on respective fitness levels. However, Skelton inmates rarely suffer from a lack of wellbeing and EARLSHILL, a useful performer over this sort of trip last term and seemingly sure to progress further now, could prove the way to go. The Kerry Lee operation is now finding some form, as is usually the case at this stage of the campaign, so expect the promising Sir Will to better last season's efforts, whilst the likes of Cloth Cap and hurdling debutants Indian Hercules and The Sweeney are others to note in what rates an interesting maiden hurdle with the future in mind.
Allez Jacques (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along and weakened quickly before 2 out, 5th of 6, 29 3/4l behind White Moon (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Arthur's Reuben 50-1 (11-0) Mistakes and always well behind, 9th of 11, dist behind Free Range (11-0) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Chase Me (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 10th of 14, dist behind Who's My Jockey (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Cloth Cap (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden and one pace in 3rd before last, lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 7, 8 1/2l behind Court Liability (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Downloadtheapp (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, slow 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider last, at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) gd in Nov.
Earlshill (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Longtown (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Mar.
Eurato (FR) 20-1 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden 4f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 8 1/2l behind St Mary's (10-0) at Nottingham 1m 6f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Game On (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Disputed lead, narrow advantage when ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, one pace final furlong, 4th of 17, 7l behind Marten (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Indian Hercules (IRE) 7-4 (11-0) Held up in rear but in touch, headway to track leader after 4f, under pressure over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 5, 18 1/2l behind Dessinateur (10-7) at Chepstow 2m (6) sft in Mar.
Innisfree Lad (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 14, 35 1/2l behind Midnight Shadow (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Katara Bay 3-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, closed on inside over 8f out, outpaced over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 5th of 7, dist behind Shambougg (10-12) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Mead Vale Schiaparelli gelding out of Devon Peasant.
Sir Will (IRE) 4-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 8th, close up next, carried left 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 15, 30 1/4l behind Another Frontier (11-10) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Tailor Tom (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on outside, lost place 4 out, weakening when blundered next, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Count Meribel (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
The Sweeney (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, driven and effort when short of room over 2f out, soon ridden, kept on, no imrpession in 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 17, 4 3/4l behind Marten (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Ted Thistle (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 11, dist behind Springtown Lake (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
