chased leader until outpaced well before 2 out, rallied to 3rd at the last, stayed on flat, flattered by proximity to winner
led, reached for 4th, hit 4 out, ridden and headed before mistake 2 out, soon weakened
chased leading pair, hit 6th and 3 out, went 2nd well before 2 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out until 2 out, chased winner until between last two, weakened last
took keen hold, held up tracking leading trio, smooth headway to lead 2 out, narrowly headed last, just shaken up to lead again flat, always just doing enough, cleverly
took keen hold, held up last, headway on outside 3 out, soon pushed along, went 2nd between last two, led narrowly last, headed flat, flattered by proximity to winner
Thunderstorm has gone up 29lb since his winning run began and he only scraped home by a neck at Market Rasen earlier this month but McCoy, who has been in the saddle for all of his victories to date, takes the ride again and he can't be ignored. Spanish Treasure runs over hurdles for the first time in almost two years but was only beaten half-a-length in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton last month and Teshali was beaten less than a length off today's mark at Ludlow and is running into form. But we'll take a chance on STAR OF ANGELS, who has dropped to a decent mark and still has a couple of entries at Cheltenham. He showed enough when fourth to At Fishers Cross at Newbury in December to suggest he can be a factor in this. Bold Chief had decent form as a novice last season but hasn't reproduced that so far in handicaps.
Bold Chief (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, lost place approaching 3 out, soon ridden, every chance on outside next, weakened before last, 7th of 17, 25l behind Dark Lover (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Spanish Treasure (GER) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 3f out, led over 1f out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Keep Kicking (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (5) std in Jan.
Star Of Angels 4-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, never on terms, 4th of 9, 29l behind Grafite (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
Thunderstorm (IRE) 6-4fav (10-6) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, challenged on bit run-in, shaken up to lead towards finish, very cosily, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft beating Beyeh (10-5) by nk, 8 ran.
Teshali (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway on outside before 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Pearls Legend (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.