took keen hold, close up on inside, ridden and outpaced 4 out, stayed on again before 2 out, soon no impression, mistake last
in touch until dropped to rear and ridden 6th, never on terms after, tailed off before 8th, pulled up soon after
chased leaders, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along outpaced and lost place after 7th, stayed on again after 3 out, went modest 4th flat
held up in last trio, good headway on inside to chase leaders 7th, led 4 out, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, mistake 2 out, hung left again approaching and went left last, head high, kept on flat
held up in last trio, hit 4th and ridden, poor 7th when fell 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, steady headway approaching 8th, went 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd approaching next, ridden approaching 2 out, no extra went left and blundered last
chased leader, led after 7th, mistake next, ridden and headed 4 out, stayed on same pace next
Briefcase has been going well in novice handicaps but faces a stiffer task against seasoned rivals and looks high enough in the weights. Manadam won comfortably at Towcester last month but a 10lb rise in the weights looks a little harsh and Horsham Lad hasn't run over hurdles since 2008. Whenever has been well beaten when tackling this trip over hurdles but he should have no problems staying having won over 2m on the Flat. Free Falling could bounce back to form on this quicker going but it's WELL METT who gets the nod. Lucy Wadham's charge, a winning bumper in Ireland, came in for support on his handicap debut at Plumpton and might have won but for swerving in the closing stages. Compensation awaits here.
Briefcase (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway 9th, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no impression, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Father Probus (11-3) at Taunton 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd.
Ripoff 80-1 (10-9) Led and keen, headed 4th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 25l behind Bold Chief (11-2) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gd in Feb.
My Mate Max 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along 5th, weakened 3 out, 16th of 18, well behind Distime (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Free Falling 10-1 (11-8) Disputed lead, mistake 9th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden and weakened soon after, tailed off, 8th of 12, 35l behind Schism (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gs in Feb.
Manadam (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb beating Lady Ida (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Whenever 11-2 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, ridden and lost place 5th, well beaten after 9th, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Cocacobana (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Madame Jasmine 9-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway before 3 out, ridden and outpaced soon after 3 out, stayed on again approaching last, went modest 5th and closed on 4th close home, 5th of 12, 15l behind Schism (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gs in Feb.
Well Mett (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In rear, headway 9th, hit 4 out, soon chased winner, clear with winner after 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Gentleman Jimmy (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Earcomesthedream (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Towards rear and pushed along, never dangerous, 7th of 18, 32l behind Manadam (11-2) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Horsham Lad (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Towards rear, mistake 2nd, pecked 10th, soon pushed along, some headway from 2 out, never dangerous, 9th of 13, well behind Beamazed (11-4) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
