took keen hold, held up, ridden to chase leaders 19th, effort 3 out, no impression from 2 out
behind, some progress 19th, no impression on leaders from 3 out
always behind, ridden 12th, mistake 17th, never dangerous
tracked leaders when fell 1st
prominent, chased winner 19th, every chance approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
made all, hampered by loose horse approaching 9th, challenged 3 out, stayed on strongly
always in rear group, tailed off before last
prominent, ridden and no progress after 19th, kept on same pace from 3 out
tracked winner, effort before 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden after 18th, no headway and weakened 3 out
held up behind, headway from 3 out, stayed on well after last, nearest finish
Ladalko looked likely to win before falling two out over course and distance in the race won by Graphic Approach last month and is taken to make amends off just a 2lb higher mark here with Dunbrody Millar and Run For Paddy rated the main dangers. Dunbrody Millar lost no caste in defeat behind the selection's stablemate Almost Broke at Wincanton last time but he faces no easy task having been raised 5lbs since then. Jonjo O'Neill's Halexy has been given a break since taking a bad fall over the National fences at Aintree in November and would have claims if none the worse for that experience, while Shalako would look to have plenty to find with the selection on their running here last time. Iris Bleu is better than he showed in the Hennessy and makes marginally more appeal than Iris Royal, who has clearly had his problems. Sue Smith's The Kew Tour, who has a nice racing weight, and the consistent Shalako are others to consider although a bigger threat is likely to come from Run For Paddy. Mark Pitman's gelding has run to a decent level of form in two of the most competitive handicaps this season in his last two starts and is entitled to be thereabouts again but Ladalko looked unlucky here last time and is taken to make amends today.
Limerick Boy (GER) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden last, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 13, 19l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Iris Bleu (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 9th, 10th or 12th, struggling from 14th, behind when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Trabolgan (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Nov, 19 ran.
Run For Paddy 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 16th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, chasing leader and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 13, 12l behind Joaaci (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Iris Royal (FR) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened last, 7th of 13, 28l behind Fondmort (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Jan.
Ladalko (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, challenged 16th, led 3 out, going well when fell 2 out in race won by Graphic Approach (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Chased leader, led 3rd, blundered 15th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed last, stayed on gamely flat but always held by winner, 2nd of 10, hd behind Almost Broke (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Campaign Trail (IRE) 11-4fav (10-7) Chased leaders in 4th, mistake 4th, blundered and fell at the 14th in race won by Willie John Daly (11-0) at Sandown 3m 5f lst hcp chs (A) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Shalako (USA) 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner last, one pace flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Graphic Approach (11-6) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
The Kew Tour (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In touch, challenged 3 out, every chance when hit 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Kerry Lads (11-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Cassia Heights 9-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, ridden, lost place after 5 out, 8th of 13, 35l behind Ede'iff (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Underwriter (USA) 9-2 (11-0) In touch, ridden 16th and mistake, weakened 5 out, 4th of 6, 20l behind Le Jaguar (11-4) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Halexy (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up, headway after 3 out, disputing 3rd when fell 2 out in race won by Hakim (10-12) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (C) gs in Nov, 23 ran.
