handy, not fluent 2nd, slow jump 4th, not fluent and reminders 5th, cajoled along at times, slow jump 10th, pushed along 12th, weakened home turn and tailed off
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, led 7th, joined and strongly challenged from 12th, ridden after 2 out, led clearly last, ran on well and asserted run-in
led, slow jump 2nd, headed 7th, tracked leader, disputed lead and pressed leader from 12th, pushed along home turn, ridden after 2 out, every chance before last, headed final fence, kept on, no extra
always behind and lost touch after 8th
NonRunner
Something of a conundrum as BARDENSTOWN LAD gives 18lb and upwards to his rivals but has yet to make any mark in his two chases, most recently in a three-horse affair at Cheltenham in November. However, his hurdles form is far superior to his rivals, highlighted by an excellent third in the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March. Git Maker is another Jamie Snowden runner with a sound chance on today’s card after two promising chase starts, with Wetherby second Conquredalofeurope not ruled out as he brings plenty of fencing experience to the table.
Bardenstown Lad 11-10fav (11-2) Chased winner until hit 3rd, chased leading pair, jumped slowly 7th, dropped to last and struggling 10th, tailed off 14th, rallied into remote 3rd turning in, 3rd of 5, dist behind The Real Whacker (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Nov.
Git Maker (FR) 6-5fav (11-9) Led, mistake and headed 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden approaching 2 out, led again 2 out, headed approaching last, every chance last, kept on flat, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Ned Tanner (11-3) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tupelo Mississippi (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Prominent, restrained to midfield 3rd, awkward 5th (water) and reminders, towards rear 8th, ridden after 11th, tailed off 4 out, last of 6, dist behind Nocte Volatus (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Thunderosa (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Disputed lead, headed and lost position 9th, soon weakened and pulled up, at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Conquredalofeurope (IRE) 7-2fav (10-2) Raced on inside, chased leader, led before 2nd until after 4th, chased leader until before next, handy 3rd went 2nd again 9th, led again 13th until approaching 4 out, lost 2nd 4 out, soon weakened, finished tired, 3rd of 12, 23 1/2l behind All About Joe (10-9) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
