close up, ridden 3 out, outpaced next, rallied run-in
tracked leader, hit 7th, ridden and join winner 3 out, kept on one pace
keen close up in rear, tracked leaders 3rd, led passing omitted 4 out, ridden and briefly headed last, soon bumped and led again, ridden out
led, headed passing omitted 4 out, soon behind
raced wide close up in rear, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead briefly last, soon dived left and headed, rallied close home
close up, not fluent 5th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
MORE THAN LUCK (NAP) didn’t make the frame in five runs over hurdles last season but has been much improved over fences since joining Olly Murphy and may be capable of transferring that progress back to the smaller obstacles. Minella Gathering kept on well to beat a previous winner over course and distance last month and Jack Sherwood’s claim negates his 3lb rise so he’s a big danger. Cornish Warrior was out of his depth last time at Cheltenham and has been dropped 3lb since so may prove the pick of the remainder.
Phoeniciana 7-1 (11-12) Raced wide in touch, ridden when hit 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up next, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Cornish Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, never on terms, weakened flat, 8th of 19, 23 3/4l behind Melrose Boy (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
More Than Luck (IRE) Evensfav (12-4) In rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Dontminddboys (11-7) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Postbridge (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Soon led, headed and weakened before 6th, pulled up before 3 out, at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Minella Gathering (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Towards rear, headway to go close up 6th, led 3 out, ridden and hung right soon after next, driven and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Pennywell (11-7) by 2l, 8 ran.
Phare Isle (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, effort after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 28 3/4l behind Triopas (11-9) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
