chased winner throughout, not fluent 7th, hit next, ridden bypassing omitted 2 out, never any chance
always last, never on terms with easy winner
made all, soon clear, given breather at 9th, soon clear again, unchallenged (both fences in home straight omitted, total of 13 fences jumped)
NonRunner
Another small field. Lucinda Russell is responsible for the top two in the weights and chasing debutant Readysteadybeau probably has more scope than Hexham specialist Prince Dundee. EXIT TO WHERE is 2-6 around here and won off a higher mark at the track in the spring. He has yet to show he stays this far but could be the one to benefit if this turns into a tactical race. Raddle And Hum won at Perth last month but that was a weak affair and a 7lb rise looks harsh.
Prince Dundee (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) In touch, good headway when switched right before 3 out, soon every chance, pushed along to lead 2 out, soon clear, reduced advantage close home but always doing enough, ran on, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun beating The Vollan (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Exit To Where (FR) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in behind leaders, bumped rival 10th, pushed along after 3 out, no extra before last, lost third flat, 4th of 5, 7 3/4l behind Raecius Felix (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Raddle And Hum (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Led, faced challenge 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, headed narrowly approaching last, ridden and rallied to lead run-in, stayed on well to win going away, won at Perth 3m hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Get With It (11-2) by 4l, 6 ran.
Readysteadybeau (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Off the pace in rear, gained a place, at 5th, weakened before 8th, hit next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Haydock 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
