held up towards rear, last and struggling before 5th, well behind from next
held up towards rear, not fluent 4 out, soon struggling
chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, went left and not fluent last, weakened flat
chased leaders, went 2nd from 2nd until before 3 out, stayed on same pace, lost 3rd close home
held up in rear, struggling before 4 out
chased leader until 2nd, stayed in touch, weakened 4 out
mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
led, jumped left, joined 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner last, stayed on same pace
held up in mid-division, headway 5th, shaken up and outpaced before 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home
mid-division, pushed along and struggling 4 out, well beaten before next
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd on bit before 3 out, led 2 out, clear from last, easily
held up towards rear, jumped left at times, headway after 4 out, weakened before 2 out
ZALVADOS should have won before now but has been placed in seven of his nine hurdle starts and his overall form is head and shoulders above anything achieved by his rivals. Connections will be distraught if he doesn’t take advantage of this opportunity. Lord Marmaduke is much less exposed and looks to be heading in the right direction so makes more appeal than Hereford third Captain Jack, St John's and Shivermetimbers. Sean O'Casey failed to build on a win on the Flat last May and there are concerns about today’s going.
Bite My Tongue (IRE) 250-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Born For War (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 13, dist behind Gunfleet (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Captain Jack 20-1 (10-12) Held up behind, headway on inside after 4 out, driven to chase leaders 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression with front pair, 3rd of 12, 14l behind Court Liability (11-4) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gf in Nov.
Lord Marmaduke 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace, 3rd of 9, 6 1/2l behind Arthington (11-8) at Leicester 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Mega Mind (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In rear, ridden when not fluent 4 out, pulled up next, at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Right On Roy 10-1 (12-0) Led til hdd last; no ex flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Tom Barton (12-0) at Larkhill 3m mdn gs in Mar.
Sean O'Casey (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, faded inside final furlong, 5th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Maori Bob (9-3) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Shivermetimbers (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Jumped left, took keen hold, chased leaders, wandered into 1st, struggling from 4th, well beaten 3 out, blundered last, 7th of 14, 36 1/2l behind The Russian Doyen (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Sir Egbert 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, 21 1/2l behind Mahlervous (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gd in Dec.
St John's 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, left close up before 3 out, one pace and beaten when jumped right 2 out, 6th of 16, 18 3/4l behind New To This Town (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Zalvados (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Held up, headway after 7th, switched left after 2 out, challenged last, led flat, headed near finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Limited Reserve (11-12) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Doodle Dandy (IRE) 250-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, took keen hold, headway on outside before 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 14, dist behind Clondaw Castle (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
The Mistress (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and weakened 3 out, blundered last, 7th of 9, dist behind Petticoat Tails (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
