held up in touch, hit 4th, stumbled slightly 6th, hit 7th, weakened 3 out, hit 2 out
chased winner, jumped big 3rd, ridden after 2 out, one pace, lost 2nd last strides
made all, pushed clear after 2 out, hit last, stayed on well
behind, jumped big 1st, slightly hampered 4th, lost touch approaching 3 out, tailed off
prominent, hit 3rd, not fluent 5th, pushed along after 3 out, hit last, kept on same pace to take 2nd last strides
held up, some progress approaching 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out
always behind, not fluent 4th, lost touch after 8th, tailed off
Strange to see a dual winner of the Becher Chase and the fourth in the 2019 Grand National contesting a novices' hurdle but so it is with Walk In The Mill. He is presumably here to protect his fencing mark and should enjoy his day out. He may well have too much class for his rivals but he hasn't been seen over timber since 2015 and BLACKJACK KENTUCKY is preferred. He has come up against really useful starts this term in The Big Breakaway and Jepeck and this rates a decent opportunity to go one better. Mercian Knight looks a useful stayer in the making after a brave and battling Doncaster victory and Ask Me Early is an interesting recruit from the pointing arena for Harry Fry.
Mercian Knight (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Bit keen early, tracked leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd before 4 out, pushed along before next, soon ridden, led soon after 2 out, joined and hit last, driven and always just doing enough run-in, won at Doncaster 3m (4) gs in Dec beating Terrierman (11-5) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Ask Me Early (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs, 3rd on inner at 6th, ld with sl adv frm 4out, not fluent 2out, 1l adv bef last, so best, won at Kinsale 3m mdn gs in Jun beating Hard Ground (12-2) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Blackjack Kentucky (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Held up in touch, ridden when left 2 lengths 2nd 2 out, soon outpaced, rallied under pressure flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Jepeck (11-5) at Chepstow 3m (4) sft in Dec.
Orsino (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Prominent when slow and big 1st, soon mid-division, in rear from 3rd, behind when jumped right 6th, 6th of 8, dist behind Grand Roi (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mdn (3) gs in Jan.
Walk In The Mill (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, mistake 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out, won at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec beating Kimberlite Candy (10-4) by 2 1/2l, 18 ran.
Janeslittlevoice 10-1 (11-7) (h) led 4-5; mist & lost plce 10; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 11, 9 3/4l behind Lady Sally (11-7) at Barbury Racecourse 2m 4f mdn fll sft in Dec.
Memphis Bell (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Chased clear leading pair, not fluent 3rd, lost 3rd before 8th, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Kilconny Bridge (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
