chased leaders on outside, ridden after 8th, weakening when mistake next, tailed off
prominent, not fluent 2nd, jumped slowly and lost several places next, pushed along after 7th, outpaced from next, no chance from 9th
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, led going well after 3 out, drew clear from 2 out
led, not always fluent, headed and reminders after 6th, remained prominent, weakening when mistake 3 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 6th, shaken up when hit 8th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, weakening when left 4th 2 out, went moderate 3rd before last
raced keenly towards rear, struggling after 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, some headway into mid-division before 3 out, never in contention, well behind when hit last
held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 3 out, 3rd and beaten when fell 2 out
pressed leader, led 6th, hit 3 out, soon headed, no chance with winner before 2 out
in touch, raced keenly, mistake 3rd and 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 6th, soon dropped rear, tailed off 3 out, plugged on past beaten horses from 2 out
mid-division, struggling 8th, never in contention
held up towards rear, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, struggling before 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 9th, weakening when left 3rd 2 out, relegated to 4th before last
prominent, raced keenly, weakened approaching 8th
A visor is tried on Hello Moscow but it remains to be seen whether this is even his trip and preference is for THEATRICAL MOMENT ahead of Coda Agency and Painter Man. It is fair to say that Jonjo O'Neill's gelding has not lived up to expectations since transferring from Alan Swinbank's yard back in the summer of 2007. After such promise as a bumper horse (won Aintree Champion Bumper), he has not looked a natural over hurdles. However there was a lot more promise on his final start last year and with Noel Fehily back on board, a big run is expected. Undoubtedly much will be made of the fact that Tony McCoy rides Hello Moscow, a horse that he carried home to land a gamble back in February. It is interesting, but then again Noel Fehily knows Theatrical Moment and McCoy's retainer is with JP McManus not trainer Jonjo O'Neill. Doctor Kilbride is a course and distance winner and needs a level of respect on his return from a break despite his poor showings when last spotted, whilst Pam Sly won the race last year with Delightful Cliche and connections will be 'over the moon' if Pheidas can gain his first win today. Dance Island and Hammer Time come here on the back of good efforts in defeat, whilst Painter Man suffered a costly reversal last time at Ludlow for backers but the form looks solid and if he copes with this more testing track then a big run is anticipated. Top-weight Coda Agency is another who must sit on any shortlist, along with Evelith Forrest who should improve for a recent comeback run. Many in with a chance but the spotlight is centred on Theatrical Moment.
Coda Agency 13-2 (11-6) Disputed lead, ridden, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, well behind Captain Americo (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Pheidias (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 16l behind Aldiruos (10-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Theatrical Moment (USA) 14-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance from last, just held, 2nd of 16, shd behind Barnhill Brownie (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Hello Moscow (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-divison until weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Cashel Blue (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs, 16 ran.
Painter Man (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Always prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, headed when hit last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Sashenka (10-10) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Caipiroska 9-2 (10-6) Always behind, weakened from 4 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by I'm The Decider (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Hammer Time (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Prominent, went 2nd after 2nd until 4th, 2nd again approaching 8th, led approaching 3 out, headed after 3 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Tisfreetdream (10-11) at Stratford 2m 6f mdn hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Paddy's Tern 13-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, reminders approaching 8th, ridden 4 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 39l behind Super Road Train (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Dance Island (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, not clear run on inside on bend approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on and went 2nd last, no impression, 2nd of 18, 3l behind Pure Genius (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Always behind, 11th of 15, 40l behind Templer (11-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Dancing Mist (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 8th, weakened quickly next, 11th of 16, well behind Cashel Blue (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Macmar (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 4th, headway 6th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 16, 37l behind Cashel Blue (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Doctor Kilbride (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Tracked leading pair until 9th, stumbled 11th, soon dropped rear and struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Can't Buy Time (11-9) at Southwell 3m nov hcp chs (4) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
Menelaus 12-1 (11-4) Pushed along 6th, always towards rear, 10th of 17, 45l behind Freeline Fury (11-1) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
Hot 'n' Holy 8-1 (11-6) Hit 1st, in touch when fell at the 6th in race won by The Big Breakfast (11-3) at Sandown 3m hts chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
Quiqui de L'Isle (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Towards rear, headway and in touch 3 out, ridden and weakened from next, 6th of 18, 28l behind Description (10-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Snow Patrol 10-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 14, 27l behind Super Ross (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 5f sll hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Evelith Forrest 8-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, steady headway 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, 10th of 15, well behind Magnifico (9-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
