tracked leader, led 4 out, drew clear after next, very easily
chased leaders, jumped slowly and not fluent throughout, weakened 4 out, tailed off next, moderate 3rd
led until 4 out, rallied next, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no chance with easy winner
NonRunner
THREE WAYS found only the progressive Captain Chaos too good over these fences last month. He just edges this at the weights ahead of Thumb Stone Blues, who was placed yet again when second at Catterick last time and should be in the mix. A dual winner over hurdles, Bordeaux Bill made the frame at Market Rasen recently having dropped in the handicap and should have the measure of Sharp Response on these terms. Dark Valley placed in point-to-points last year and has his first outing over regulation fences.
Bordeaux Bill (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Not fluent 1st, close up, tracked leaders 4th, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Acting Lass (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Dark Valley (IRE) 4-1 (12-1) Mid-div, 4th 1/2way, prog to disp 4l 2nd 2out, held in 3rd last, ko flat, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Germany John (11-10) at Loughrea 3m mdn sft in Apr.
Sharp Response (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, driven when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, stayed on well under pressure flat, went 3rd final strides, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Mister Whitaker (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Three Ways 4-1 (11-2) Chased (clear) winner until 2nd, 2nd again 5th until 11th, went 2nd again 5 out, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and rallied 2 out, almost upsides when stumbled last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Captain Chaos (11-9) at Wetherby 3m (4) sft in Nov.
Thumb Stone Blues (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 3 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Delusionofgrandeur (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
