always in rear, reminders 5th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
close up, hit 4th, chased leading pair after 3 out, ridden and every chance last, stayed on to lead towards finish
led, hit 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, still every chance last, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, struggling from next, soon weakened, hit last
held up, ridden and weakened 3 out
keen, held up, blundered badly 6th, plugged on past beaten horses
keen tracked leader, ridden to lead 2 out, headed towards finish
NEEDLESS SHOUTING, who won twice on the Flat, was prominent when falling at Doncaster 12 days ago. Mick Channon does well with the few runners he sends here and the four-year-old is fancied to make the most of his weight-for-age allowance in this. None of the others with experience have shown much so the danger could be newcomer Response. He was effective up to 1m2f on the Flat so should stay 2m over hurdles. Steve Gollings is another trainer with a good strike-rate here and the booking of McCoy suggests his charge will be ready for this. Aviator won three times on the Flat in Germany so is also worth a second look.
Auden (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, improved to led and dispute before 4th, slight mistake and headed 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, well behind King William (11-4) at Ballinrobe 2m 5yo mdn hdl gd in Jul '13.
Aviator (GER) 16-1 (9-5) In touch, weakened 2f out, 10th of 12, 12l behind Red Runaway (9-12) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp 0-80 (4) pol in Sep (flat).
Mr Burbidge 20-1 (11-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened quickly before 7th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Kylemore Lough (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Response 14-1 (9-9) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden and behind over 3f out, stayed on to take moderate 4th near finish, no chance with leaders, 4th of 5, 10l behind Chapter And Verse (8-11) at Leicester 1m 2f hcp 0-80 (4) gf in Jul (flat).
Grande Vitesse (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, struggling in rear after 5th, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Allez Encore (10-12) at Plumpton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Ashkoun (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Jumped left, led until not fluent 2nd, stayed prominent until weakened after 6th, 12th of 14, well behind John Constable (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Needless Shouting (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Led from 1st, headed before 5 out, in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Devilment (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 4yo hdl (4) gd in Feb, 10 ran.
