prominent, went 2nd 3rd until 12th, chased leading pair until next, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
off the pace towards rear, steady headway into 7th when hit 18th, stayed on into 3rd at the last, kept on same pace run-in
led until 3rd, chased leading pair, 2nd approaching 12th until 16th, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, headway chasing leaders 9th, went 3rd 13th, 2nd approaching 16th, pushed along approaching 3 out, dropped to 3rd and driven after 3 out, weakened soon after next
took keen hold early, chased leader, led 3rd, hit 15th, ridden and headed 2 out, chased leader, rallied to lead again last, pressed run-in, stayed on gamely
chased leaders, outpaced in 6th 13th, rallied into 3rd after 2 out until the last, driven along and no extra run-in
mistakes and jumped left, always towards rear, no chance when blundered badly 18th, tailed off
soon behind, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 13th
soon towards rear, never involved, tailed off
behind, mistake 4th, tailed off in rear when mistake 11th, pulled up before 13th
edgy and mounted on course, held up in mid-division, blundered 10th, tracking leading pair when hampered 17th, 2nd soon after 3 out and ridden, led 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied run-in, always just held
mid-division, pushed along and struggling in 7th after 11th, tailed off
A Tail Of Intrigue tries a new trip and there will be no hanging about here as Erica Bridge and Tales Of Milan, who stays further, will try and run the finish out of these. Guy Disney steered Ballyallia Man into third over course and distance three weeks ago but he has ground to make up on second Loose Chips on similar terms. Paul Nicholls runs Merrion Square and HOWLONGISAFOOT (NAP) but the latter looks the one to be on. He made all and won easily for the first time over fences at Taunton in December and an earlier second to Generous Ransom over these fences has worked out well.
Tales Of Milan (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 33l behind Heronshaw (11-12) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
A Tail Of Intrigue (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Disputed lead until blundered 6th, in touch, driven and outpaced 4 out, no impression from next, 4th of 9, 26l behind O Maonlai (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs in Feb.
Ballybough Gorta (IRE) 16-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, went prominent 6th, mistake 12th, struggling from 15th, tailed off, 7th of 10, 47l behind Cowards Close (11-11) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) Evensfav (11-8) Made all, hit 12th, ridden clear before 3 out, idled flat, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Freckle Face (11-6) by 5l, 5 ran.
Loose Chips 4-1 (11-12) Led until 4th, led 9th, headed after 12th, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Cowards Close (11-11) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Ballyallia Man (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 2nd until not fluent 6th, lost place 14th, stayed on from 2 out, slow and went 3rd last, no real further impression flat, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Cowards Close (11-11) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Cinevator (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) In rear, jumped slowly 4th, tailed off from 10th, 8th of 10, 49l behind Cowards Close (11-11) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Led until approaching 2nd, chased leader, mistake 5th (water) lost 2nd 8th, chased leading pair until mistake 11th, weakened 14th, soon lost touch, well tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Shoreacres (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hts chs (6) sft in Feb, 4 ran.
Kornati Kid 14-1 (12-3) Hdwy 2 out; str run flat; just failed, 3rd of 11, nk behind Owenacurra (12-0) at South East Hunts Club 3m ptp gs in Feb.
Lambro (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Soon lost prominent position, headway on outside chasing leaders 6th, reminder after 12th, weakened 15th, tailed off 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Firm Order (11-2) at Sandown 3m amat hcap chs (3) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
Merrion Square (IRE) 8-11fav (10-9) Chased winner who was clear throughout, pushed along before 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 21l behind Byron Blue (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug.
Theophrastus (IRE) 100-1 (11-7) Chasing leaders 2nd, not fluent 2nd or 8th, lost place before 12th, tailed off, 6th of 10, 47l behind Cowards Close (11-11) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.