settled in 3rd, closed steadied 7th, chased winner after 3 out, ridden to challenge next, switched right and upsides last, every chance run-in, just held
always behind, struggling from 7th, tailed off
held up in rear, 5th and no chance when mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
behind, went poor 4th approaching 2 out, tailed off
prominent in chasing group, weakened after 7th
always behind, lost touch 7th, soon tailed off
Former Flat horse Bagan appears to be on the upgrade and can see off the challenges of Ladalko, Forager and In Accord. Charlie Mann pulled Bagan out of a clash with Gold Medallist at Huntingdon on Thursday and the switch should pay off against this slightly weaker opposition. The one-time Henry Cecil inmate has quickly got the hang of things being sent over timber, and having had the measure of Stoop To Conquer when that one fell at Ludlow, he improved again when driven out to account for Senor Sedona here at Kempton last month. Still an entire, the son of Rainbow Quest is entered for the Royal & SunAlliance Hurdle where he would have to lock horns with Gold Medallist, but connections may prefer to wait for Aintree, a track that will suit his style of running more. Whatever his fate, Bagan should prove hard to beat today, with Ladalko expected to give him most to do. The ex-French gelding has been put back over hurdles this season after failing to cut the mustard over fences, and to be fair has taken on decent company. However, he gave a lacklustre performance at Cheltenham last time and is beatable. Forager caused a 50-1 shock when landing a maiden hurdle at Windsor on his last outing and has more to do, while In Accord made Ladalko's stablemate Blushing Bull pull out all the stops at Uttoxeter and his stable is just starting to hit form again. He can reach the frame, but Bagan can prove hard to beat.
Ladalko (FR) 9-2 Held up, headway 3 out to chase leading pair after 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 16l behind Ambobo at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Jan.
Forager 50-1 Tracked leaders, led 3 out, ridden and hung right flat, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) sft in Dec beating Darkness by 2l, 13 ran.
In Accord 8-1 Held up in rear, headway and switched right approaching 3 out, ridden and every chance from 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on, 2nd of 6, nk behind Blushing Bull at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Jan.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 25-1 Took keen hold, tracked leaders, mistake 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Listener at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (D) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Mansion Special (FR) 33-1 Held up towards rear, outpaced after 7th, 9th of 17, 44l behind Bagan at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (D) gd in Jan.
Parsifal 100-1 Led, soon clear, headed after 4th, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off, 6th of 12, well behind Yes Sir at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (E) sft.
Quatrain (IRE) 5-1 Held up and keen, headway 7th, ridden after next, weakened 3 out, 8th of 18, 20l behind Jiver at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gd in Nov.
River Trapper (IRE) 3-1 Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Bagan at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
Siyaran (IRE) 40-1 Behind, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 13, 21l behind Jack's Lad at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (E) gs.
