handy, pushed along and led 4 out, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, shaken up and pressed leaders 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, ran on, no extra closing stages
towards rear, ridden after 12th, steadily lost ground and struggling, refused 2 out
in rear, headway to chase front rank 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, pushed along after 2 out, every chance final fence, ridden and one pace run-in
chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, strongly pressed before last, stayed on gamely to assert towards finish
prominent, jumped right on occasion, soon led, headed 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened before 2 out
prominent, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten
Sir Mangan is now 14 but has returned as good as ever between the flags this season. However, it’s difficult to see the veteran troubling the likes of PORLOCK BAY, even in receipt of 8lb. Will Biddick’s charge won the Hunters’ Chase at The Festival last year and is targeting that race again. Quarenta has a bit to prove nowadays but Another Venture found only one too good running in his first hunter chase at Ludlow and Tel'Art and Dieu Vivant are youngsters compared to some of these.
Another Venture (IRE) 13-8fav (12-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 6th, pushed along before 4 out, left 2nd last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Hogan's Height (11-12) at Ludlow 3m (5) gs in Jan.
Porlock Bay (FR) 4-5fav (12-0) Hdwy 12; led 3 out til hdd nxt; ev ch til no ex final 50yds, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Premier Magic (12-0) at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Dec.
Quarenta (FR) 28-1 (11-12) Towards rear, ridden 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out, at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Dieu Vivant (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Held up in 4th, closer disputing 3rd at 9th, went 2nd and hit 13th, ridden and no chance before last, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 4, 10l behind Flying Verse (11-8) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Salvatore 4-1 (11-7) Lost plce 8; rallied 11; outpcd 15, 4th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Maitree Express (11-7) at Larkhill 3m gd in Jan.
Unai (IRE) 20-1 (12-2) Chased leader until 4th, went 2nd after 6th until 8th, lost place 12th, well beaten when blundered badly 2 out, 5th of 11, 21 3/4l behind Hogan's Height (11-12) at Ludlow 3m (5) gs in Jan.
Tel'art (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Led to 2 & 6 til hdd app last; rallied flat, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Moratorium (11-9) at Larkhill 3m sft in Jan.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 1-2fav (12-5) Led til hdd bypassing 2; led 15; r.o wl, won at Ampton 3m sft in Jan beating Wounded Warrior (12-0) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
