chased leaders, not fluent 4th, weakening when jumped right 7th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked winner, not fluent 4th or 6th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
held up, not fluent 4th, headway 5th, chased winner 7th, no impression, 3rd and well held before 3 out, not fluent last
made all, jumped right, clear 7th, unchallenged
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, chased (clear) winner approaching 3 out, no impression
held up on outside, jumped right 3rd, behind 7th, tailed off
in rear, behind 7th, poor 4th before 3 out, tailed off
held up on outside, behind 7th, pulled up before 3 out
After a fair third in a handicap at Chepstow two weeks ago, Oscar Davy will appreciate the return to novice company and should go well. But this can go to SAME DIFFERENCE, who has been highly tried since winning on his debut under Rules at Lingfield in November. A repeat of his third to the smart Cotton Mill in a Grade 2 at Warwick in January should suffice here. Triptico has more to do than when successful at Hereford but Financial Climate can't be ignored as he's holding his form well and trip and ground are both in his favour.
Financial Climate (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, not on terms with front pair when not fluent and weakened to 4th 2 out, 4th of 13, 25l behind Poole Master (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Mike Towey (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 7th until weakened quickly soon after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Medinas (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd, 8 ran.
Oscar Davy (IRE) 3-1fav (11-7) Led narrowly, headed before 4 out, lost place 2 out, 4th and ridden before last, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd near finish, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Shoegazer (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Same Difference (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along 2 out, kept on same pace, 7th of 18, 24l behind Ambion Wood (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4-7yo) (1) gs in Mar.
Triptico (FR) 5-2 (11-10) In touch, went 4th at 7th, chased clear leader before 2 out, closed on outside approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won going away, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar beating Trop Fort (11-12) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Farmer Matt (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, mistake 8th, well beaten 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 15, well behind Frizzo (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) gd.
Hamilton Hill 40-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway to mid-division 4th, badly hampered and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Top Wood (10-13) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs, 15 ran.
Lucky Thumb 150-1 (10-1) Raced keenly, held up behind, headway into mid-division on outside 3rd, chased leaders under pressure after 4 out, 7th and no impression when fell next, in a race won by Weekend Millionair (11-1) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar, 15 ran.
Storm Alert 50-1 (11-0) Jumped left throughout, soon behind, headway 4th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 4th of 5, 32l behind Ugo (10-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gf.
