tracked leader 1st, led well before 2 out, soon clear, shaken up run-in, easily
led in start, held up in rear, headway into 4th at 6th, pushed along and went moderate 3rd before 2 out
last pair, mistake and struggling 4 out, tailed off
jumped left most of way, led, went clear briefly 5th, headed on long run before 2 out, stayed on for clear 2nd, no chance with winner
chasing leader when blundered 1st, chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 6th, behind 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, closer in 3rd at 5th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, weakened on long run before next
NonRunner
Successful in a point and placed in a bumper, Grandads Cottage has shown promise in both start so far over timber and shouldn’t be far away as he is receiving a pound from Fakenham maiden winner MARTELLO SKY taking into account his rider’s claim. But we’ll stick with Lucy Wadham’s mare, who looks a decent recruit to the hurdling ranks. Across The Line got back to winning ways over a shorter trip here last month but carries a double penalty less his rider’s allowance. Art Approval ran well in a decent handicap at Cheltenham last time but today’s going could be a problem.
Art Approval (FR) 15-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, blundered and lost place 3 out, kept on flat, 7th of 17, 4l behind Lively Citizen (10-8) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bring The Bacon 22-1 (11-7) Keen in rear, steady headway before 6th, ridden before 3 out, kept on but no chance with leaders, 6th of 13, 25 1/2l behind Annual Invictus (11-13) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Diakosaint (FR) (12-2) Made all & jw, 2l adv 6out, chall brfly bef 3out, 2 1/2l adv gng best 2out & went clr bef last, so, won at Kinsale 3m mdn sft in Dec beating Whistleinthedark (12-2) by 8l, 7 ran.
Grand Lord (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, no impression 3 out, 10th of 17, 29 1/4l behind Jay Bee Why (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Locallink (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along over 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 11, dist behind What About Time (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Shutthegate (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, still minor chance before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, kept on, 5th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Across The Line (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Across The Line (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Chased leader, led after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, still every chance last with slight lead, all out final 110 yards, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Get Your Own (11-4) by nk, 11 ran.
Grandads Cottage (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Midfield, smooth progress out wide before 3 out, soon ridden after 2 out, headed and kept on at one pace before last, 5th of 11, 4 1/2l behind Bobhopeornohope (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Martello Sky 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leader until 3 out, tracked leaders, rallied to lead last, ridden and ran on, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec beating Allavina (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Gale Force One (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden in rear 5th, lost touch before 3 out, soon tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Gunsight Ridge (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Nov.
