mistake and went right 1st, held up, headway to join leaders 13th, hit next, chased winner 16th, challenged and slight peck 3 out, every chance 2 out, outjumped last, no extra flat
made most, narrowly headed 13th, chased winner until approaching 16th, one pace and no chance with leading duo 3 out
held up in touch, not fluent 5th, headway to chase leaders 14th, 4th and staying on when blundered badly 16th, not recover and pulled up before next
took keen hold, held up in touch, mistake and lost place 12th, ridden and struggling before 14th, left poor 4th after 16th, tailed off
with leader, outright leader 13th, joined 3 out, pressed next, better jump to assert last, driven clear flat
tended to jump right, chased leading pair, mistake and driven along 13th, soon lost place, struggling when mistakes 14th and next, tailed off
C&D winner Overton Lad needs plenty of driving so is going to be hampered by the new whip rules and probably one to steer clear of after showing little enthusiasm here two weeks ago. UKRAINIAN STAR finished behind Hever Road over 2m6f at Towcester earlier this month and re-opposes on the same terms. But that run will have been needed by the top weight and he is fancied to turn the tables today and land this for Martin Keighley. Billy Murphy should also do better for a recent reappearance while it would be no surprise to see Shannons Boy go close with his stable still in decent form. He won on his return to action last year but has reserved his best for Chepstow in the past.
Shannons Boy (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, fell 10th, in a race won by Hobb's Dream (10-6) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Billy Murphy 4-1 (10-9) Led, headed before 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Graduation Night (11-12) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Mac Halen (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, mistake 1st, pushed along after 3rd, soon lost place, hit 7th, 8th and 10th, behind 15th, rider trying to avoid jockey on floor when unseated after 4 out, in a race won by Foreign King (11-11) at Ludlow 3m am hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf in Oct, 9 ran.
Some Secret 15-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, soon no impression, 5th of 10, 34l behind Bounds And Leaps (11-10) at Chepstow 3m cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Oct.
Hever Road (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Prominent until mistake 2nd, held up, outpaced 10th, rallied into 3rd appraoching 2 out, switched right flat, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Pingaro De La Vire (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
Overton Lad 9-2 (10-0) Ridden along most of way, jumped right 1st, mostly chased leader until 10th, weakened from 13th, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Atherstone Hill (11-4) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gf.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place when hampered 9th, struggling from next, 4th of 7, 29l behind Pingaro De La Vire (11-5) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gd.
