held up in 5th, weakened 13th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leading pair until 10th, chased leaders, hit 12th, weakened 14th, tailed off
held up in rear, steady headway 13th, tracking leaders when slightly hampered 14th, soon 3rd, went 2nd no chance with winner
raced wide tracking leading pair, went 3rd 10th, hit 13th, 2nd next, led 2 out, stayed on strongly, pushed out run-in
held up in last pair, mistake 2nd, not fluent 12th, went 4th 4 out, outpaced before next, hung right after
led, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden and held between last 2, lost 2nd close home
tracked leader until mistake 14th, chased leaders, mistake and weakened next
NonRunner
Sir Ivan found Grade 2 company too hot last time at Newbury but had won his previous two. Holly Bush Henry has won three times over hurdles since last seen over fences and still has scope over the larger obstacles. Tintern Theatre is capable when the fences don’t get in the way while Pilgrims Bay’s usual late run is likely to carry him into a place at least if he reproduces his effort in the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury, though he’s still 5lb than when scoring over course and distance at the start of the year. BRANDON HILL (NAP) was a good second to Walk In The Mill at Ascot and that run was franked with the winner running well again at that course on Saturday. Tom George’s charge will strip fitter today and he’s bidding to give his trainer a third win in this in the last four years.
Sir Ivan 6-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, hit 4th, outpaced before 14th, rallied next, no impression when left modest 3rd 3 out, hit next, 3rd of 5, 13 3/4l behind Elegant Escape (11-2) at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gs in Dec.
Local Show (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Mid-division, chased leaders 14th, lost place 16th, soon behind, tailed of when pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Pilgrims Bay (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway on inside approaching 4 out, plugged on same pace in 5th, 5th of 20, 17l behind Total Recall (10-8) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Tintern Theatre (IRE) 5-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 14th, close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 5 out, at Cheltenham 3m 1f (2) sft in Dec.
Holly Bush Henry (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chasing leaders when slightly hampered next, every chance 2 out, led before last, strongly challenged throughout run in, held on well, won at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec beating Connetable (10-9) by nk, 8 ran.
Brandon Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Jumped boldly, led, joined 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, chased winner and one pace run-in, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Walk In The Mill (11-8) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
No Buts 50-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 7th of 12, 25l behind Gold Present (11-10) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Remind Me Later (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, steady headway on inside after 14th, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, kept on approaching 2 out, went modest 3rd last, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Toviere (11-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
