held up and pulled hard, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, led 7th to 8th, ridden when hit 3 out, soon weakened
keen, tracked leaders, led 4th to after 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway after 8th, led 2 out, ran on
keen, in touch, ridden after 8th, soon weakened
held up, mistake 1st, headway approaching 7th, ridden after next, soon weakened, no chance when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace
in touch, lost place after 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 2nd, pushed along after 5th, ridden after next, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up and dismounted before 7th
mid-division, ridden after 7th, weakened next
pulled hard, soon prominent, hung left and lost place after 5th, behind when ran out next
led to 4th, led again after 5th to 7th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Charlie Mann has enjoyed a good strike-rate with newcomers to his yard this season and is fancied to score again with Barman, who was useful on the Flat and will not have to be anything out of the ordinary over hurdles to cope with the likes of Northaw Lad and Ostfanni, who look the best alternative of those with experience of hurdles. That said, Stoop To conquer can also go well if his fall over course and distance from last month has not left any lasting scars. It is worth bearing in mind that he was already beaten on that occasion and may well have struggled to hold on for second place on the long run in. Factor in that the winner of that race was also under the care of Mann and the case for his next challenger, Barman, becomes even stronger. Therefore, assuming that the vibes are right from the betting market, the former Paul Cole inmate is given a confident vote.
Ballyalbany (IRE) 9-1 Not fluent, behind from 4th, 8th of 20, 28l behind Cornish Sett at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Barman (USA) 25-1 Held up behind leaders, pushed along over 3f out, ran on to lead approaching final furlong, kept on gamely, won at York 1m 6f hcp (D2) gf in Sept beating Valance by 2l, 12 ran (Flat).
Golden Duck (IRE) 16-1 Made most until ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 27l behind Blushing Bull at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Jan.
Irish Legend (IRE) 20-1 Pressed leader, led 6th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 18, 22l behind Pole Star at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Northaw Lad (IRE) 2-1 Held up, pecked 3rd, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 38l behind Billyvoddan at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gs in May.
Rash Moment (FR) 6-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, 48l behind Limited Edition at Doncaster 2m nh nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Stoop To Conquer 11-4fav Led, headed 2nd, led again 5th, jumped slowly 8th, headed soon after, beaten when fell at the last in race won by Bagan at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan, 18 ran.
Ostfanni (IRE) 3-1fav Mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden and every chance from 2 out, not quicken towards finish, 2nd of 18, 1/2l behind Lady of Scarvagh at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs mdn hdl (E) gs in Jan.
