close up, led 3rd, headed 12th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased winner approaching last, soon every chance, no extra towards finish
held up, headway 6th, led 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on flat
held up, behind from 4th, hit 9th, soon struggling, pulled up before 11th
always behind, blundered 12th, pulled up before 13th
tracked leaders, led approaching 2nd, headed 3rd, led again 12th, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led until jumped left 2nd, lost place approaching 7th
held up, chased leaders approaching 13th, chased winner approaching 2 out, one pace from last
held up, chased leaders approaching 9th, weakened 13th, pulled up before 2 out
Aztec Warrior may improve for a switch of stables and the application of the blinkers; however ULTIMATE LIMIT has returned from injury in rude health and can further advertise his rookie trainer's excellent start to his new career. Two recent wins have come in facile fashion for the former Albert Ennis inmate and he is sure to be popular in the betting today despite taking on better company. He is not penalised for his recent win in a conditional jockey's race and with Johnny Farrelly retaining the ride and able to claim 3lbs, he looks the one to beat. Huckleberry is not one to rule out just yet as he is better than he was able to show last time at Doncaster; that was a tough race and whilst it may be that he is high enough in the weights, his excellent trainer may be able to get some more improvement out of him. Craven has been out of action for a year, and more of a threat may be Cave Hill who should appreciate the drop in trip today. Never So Blue has a good strike-rate over fences but he has not been at his best of late and may need some respite from the handicapper. Ballyvoge's recent second on bad ground was an improvement and he is interesting despite having raced mainly at Carlisle of late. Also back going anti-clockwise is Durante who was well-held recently at Towcester, whilst Best Profile had looked on good terms before being pulled-up at Cheltenham. After a break he is one for any shortlist, but for the winner we turn to the hat-trick seeking Ultimate Limit who may not have reached his.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and lost place 6th, dropped to rear next, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Ballyvoge (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Close up, led 3 out, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Royal Mackintosh (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Best Profile (IRE) 11-1 (11-1) In touch until weakened quickly 9th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Durante (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led until jumped big, awkward and slip on landing 1st, soon dropped to last, hesitant at several jumps after and always behind, 6th of 9, 37l behind Mister Potter (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Never So Blue (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Prominent, chased leaders 5th, led 6th to 3 out, soon ridden, no chance from 2 out, 4th of 8, 32l behind Synchronised (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Cave Hill (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) In touch, effort approaching 3 out, 4th, outpaced when hit next, soon weakened, 3rd of 10, 37l behind Overlady (10-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Craven (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Held up, raced keenly, mistake 8th, weakened from 10th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Native Coral (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Darina's Boy 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders approaching 5th, kept on from 3f out, no impression, 4th of 10, 18l behind Panama At Once (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Huckleberry (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Close up, led 8th, headed 12th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Ultimate Limit 9-4fav (10-12) Held up, headway after 11th, challenged going well from 4 out, led approaching last, easily, won at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Cannon Fire (11-6) by 3l, 13 ran.
Lost In Normandy (IRE) 11-2 (10-1) Disputed lead until led approaching 9th, headed approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Whitewater Dash (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
