tracked clear winner, until 3 out, soon outpaced, ridden and rallied approaching last, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3 out
in rear, pushed along at times, wide and headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and slightly hampered 2 out, went 2nd at next, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
made all, soon clear, reduced lead 7th, ridden 2 out, ran on, unchallenged
close up, lost place 5 out, weakening when hit 3 out, pulled up next
in touch, wide and headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, ridden when jumped left next, weakened flat
There are several possibilities in this including the five-times Flat winner Stag Horn, who made a winning start over timber at Hereford and loves the mud. Howdyalikemenow is 3-4 for the Evan Williams yard and a further step up in trip should suit the former pointer Viva Lavilla, who was staying on at Sandown despite being no match for an easy winner. Party Business would have placed in the Challow Hurdle had he not fallen but Charlie Todd won’t be able to claim again on the Ascot winner. Surrey Quest is 2-2 over hurdles, despite showing signs of inexperience, but SCIPION (NAP) might be the value bet. Tom Lacey sent out the winner of this last year and his Shantou gelding is a full brother to a 3m winner. His debut second at Leicester is working out well with the winner going on to finish second in the Tolworth Hurdle and the third scoring over fences last week.
Gentleman At Arms (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Made virtually all, left clear 3 out, stayed on well, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Lounge Lizard (10-12) by 13l, 8 ran.
Howdyalikemenow (IRE) 16-5 (11-12) Kept wide, chased leaders, went 2nd at 4th, switched left before 2 out, led 2 out, clear when untidy last, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Wicked West (11-12) by 4l, 6 ran.
Party Business (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up in last trio, steady headway out wide 3 out, every chance when fell 2 out, at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Scipion (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, switched right and went 2nd 7th, not fluent 2 out, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Jetoile (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Stag Horn 4-5fav (10-12) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gd in Dec beating World Of Dreams (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 16 ran.
Surrey Quest (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th, challenged 3 out, soon led, wandered about after 2 out, clear flat, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec beating Mumbo Jumbo (10-12) by 7l, 10 ran.
Viva Lavilla (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, smooth headway tracking leaders before 2 out, went 2nd and bad mistake 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Lossiemouth (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
