held up in rear, headway after 5th, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, led flat, cosily
tracked leaders and keen, with leader 5th, led before 2 out, pressed last and not fluent, headed flat, kept on towards finish
with leader, lost place after 5th
held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, weakened before last
held up in touch, weakened before 2 out
led, headed before 2 out, in 3rd and held before last, one pace
Big Casino was a 33/1 chance when making a winning racecourse debut in a Ludlow bumper in November but obviously has some ability. However, he'll need to be useful to get the better of SHUTTHEFRONTDOOR, who showed the benefit of a first run over timber when winning easily at Uttoxeter on his second start. A very smart bumper horse last season, he should defy a penalty in this before going on to bigger and better things. Stablemate Dreamsoftheatre has won a point-to-point but shown little so far over timber and the others appear modest with Runaway Green making a belated debut at the age of seven.
Shutthefrontdoor (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Jumped left at times, prominent, led 4th, clear before last, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec beating Key To The West (11-0) by 16l, 9 ran.
Big Casino 33-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4f out, led over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Ludlow 2m NH flat (5) gd in Nov beating Connaught Square (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Dreamsoftheatre (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, weakened 4 out, 10th of 13, 27l behind Dubai Glory (10-2) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Fanjos Luck (IRE) 250-1 (10-9) Always behind, struggling after 5th, soon lost touch and pulled up, in a race won by Kilmurvy (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
Runaway Green (FR) Balleroy gelding out of Dora Dante.
Wak A Turtle (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) In rear, mistake 1st, well behind 4th, tailed off next, 5th of 8, well behind Thomas Crapper (11-4) at Towcester 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Dec.
Paupers Present (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 11th of 12, well behind Mickie (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
