with leader, led 6th, headed after 8th, weakened quickly, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, reminders 5th, ridden 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 8th, ridden 2 out, hard ridden to lead after 2 out, headed approaching last, blundered and not recover
in rear, hampered 2nd, ridden and not fluent 6th, pulled up before next
with leaders, led 3 out, headed after 2 out, regained lead last, headed flat
led, headed 6th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last
mid-division, keen, ridden 5th, weakened next and lost touch
held up towards rear, ridden 8th and some progress, weakened after 2 out
in touch and keen, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on approaching last, switched right and rallied flat to lead close home
mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened 7th, lost touch next
mid-division, lost place 5th, pulled up before 8th
keen in mid-division when fell 2nd
A tricky handicap hurdle can fall to Ikemba, with course and distance winner Radnor Lad heading the shortlist. The last-named won well over course and distance last month, form that has since been franked by the runner-up. However the very testing ground today may just find him out as he has looked more at home on better ground, and whilst his third last time out was a fair effort, a mark of 91 may just be a bit too prohibitive. Montecorvino's fourth to Schuh Shine three weeks ago doesn't look too bad in the context of this race so he could go well at a price, whilst Win A Rose has struggled off his revised mark since winning at Ludlow in November. Ikemba has been running consistently of late on testing ground so today's ground should hold no fears, and Jeremy Groucott's ten-year-old can go very close today, racing off the same mark as last-time-out.
Elbow Lane (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) With winner, every chance 2 out, soon no impression, 2nd of 13, 6l behind Joaaci (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Alf's Spinney 28-1 (11-6) Held up, pushed along 5th, soon beaten, 14th of 18, well behind Malko De Beaumont (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Alfa Sunrise 13-2 (9-11) In touch, lost place 9th, plugged on, 5th of 17, 27l behind Tank Buster (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Glen Omen (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 11th of 16, well behind Anglicisme (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Montecorvino (GER) 20-1 (10-13) In touch, mistake 3rd, chased winner 4 out until weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 15, 24l behind Schuh Shine (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Coorbawn Vic (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Set moderate pace, blundered at 3 out, soon ridden, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind What A Scientist (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) hvy.
Radnor Lad 5-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, in touch until ridden approaching 6th, lost place after 7th, rallied approaching 2 out, kept on flat, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Phareight Dei (10-3) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Win A Rose (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 8th, one pace from 3 out, 6th of 11, 12l behind Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
South Sands (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, driven between last 2, went 2nd approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Tanzanite Dawn (10-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft.
Ikemba (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (10-7) Chased leaders, led 7th, mistake and headed 2 out, no extra from last, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Norton Sapphire (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Native Cunning 25-1 (10-0) Always behind, ridden and struggling 9th, 9th of 14, 41l behind Star Glow (10-10) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
Stantons Church 66-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Fight The Feeling (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Marque Deposee (FR) 28-1 (10-1) Always behind, last of 14, well behind Lilac (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) gd in Jun.
