hit 1st, always prominent, led 3 out, stayed on well
raced keenly, led until 3 out, weakened next
raced keenly in mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, weakened 2 out
keen, prominent, chased leader 4th, lost 2nd 3 out, 2nd again before next, one pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
hit 1st, always behind, tailed off
raced keenly, chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, went left next
mid-division, hit 2nd, weakened after 3 out, mistake next
mid-division, not much room on home turn, went one paced 3rd 2 out
TEA CLIPPER won a Larkhill point-to-point in February and defied a last-flight error to make a successful hurdling debut at Warwick last month. That was a very slowly-run race and he should be much better suited by a likely strong gallop here. Ballard Down has won on the Flat around here and didn't look suited by soft ground on just his second start over hurdles at Stratford. Beyond Redemption, a winning point-to-pointer in Ireland, joined Nicky Henderson and started odds-on for his bumper debut at Huntingdon in March but could only finish fourth and has changed yards. His former stable companion Chasamax will have come on for his run in a Worcester bumper in June and the half-brother to seven winners could provide the main threat.
Tea Clipper (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd and racing keenly before 4th, led after next, kicked on 3 out, not fluent 2 out, mistake last, pressed flat, found extra to assert towards finish, won at Warwick 2m (4) gd in Oct beating Chance A Tune (10-12) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Ballard Down (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, struggling 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 14, dist behind Ashington (10-12) at Stratford 2m (4) gs in Oct.
Beyond Redemption (IRE) 1-2fav (11-2) In touch, took keen hold, driven to chase leaders over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 4th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Sadlermor (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (5) gs in Mar.
Chasamax (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up on inside, green and wide on last bend before closing 3f out, 3rd over 1f out, kept on, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Rough Terain (10-13) at Worcester 2m (5) gd in Jun.
Hackbridge 33-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 12, 36 1/4l behind War Lord (11-0) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Hidden Depths (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, blundered next, weakened between last 2, blundered last, 7th of 9, 25l behind Don't Shout (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Painted Cliffs (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Close up, pushed along 4 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Red Force One (10-12) at Fakenham 2m (4) gd in Oct.
River Dart (IRE) 25-1 (9-9) Ridden away from stalls, soon prominent, driven over 3f out, weakened from over 2f out, 12th of 14, 26 1/2l behind Banta Bay (8-13) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Sing Out Loud (IRE) 16-1 (9-7) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 10, 3 1/4l behind Kingston Kurrajong (9-10) at Epsom 1m 1f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Uther Pendragon (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up and behind, some headway approaching 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 32 3/4l behind Sir Valentine (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
