in touch, ridden approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd last, switched left flat, not quicken towards finish
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, led and mistake 3 out, jumped right last 2, driven out
behind, pushed along 6th, headway 2 out, ran on flat
led, clear 3rd to 6th, ridden when headed and blundered 3 out, weakened quickly
mid-division, ridden approaching 5th, weakened 2 out
mistake 2nd, always behind
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
jumped right, chased leader to 6th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, mistake 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat
chased leaders, reminders after 4th, weakening when hampered after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
pulled hard in rear, saddle slipped after 1st, soon pulled up
Ela Re showed encouraging signs last time and is the selection, with Hamadeenah, Mylo and Monte Cristo not out of it either. This is an open contest, but as long as Ela Re handles the longer trip this evening, Conor Dore's six-year-old should go close to returning to winning ways. He was given an enterprising ride by Mick Fitzgerald at Ludlow, but faded in the straight to eventually finish third, and lines up on virtually the same mark as when beating Pardishar at Cheltenham in January 2004. That latest effort was his best for some time and he could be about to strike form again. Hamadeenah only failed by a head to get up at Taunton last time and he makes more appeal than Mylo who has struggled since being put up by the handicapper for his Newton Abbot success in November. Monte Cristo has been disappointing over fences but showed up well on his return to the smaller obstacles at Haydock, and it is no surprise that he is kept to them. He may be capable of reaching the frame, while Dunowen, third to Tiger Talk at Fakenham, is worth a mention. Ela Re can improve over this longer trip to score.
Prince of Persia 14-1 Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Norma Hill at Hereford 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd, 14 ran.
Monte Cristo (FR) 33-1 Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, headway approaching last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 17, 8l behind Pebble Bay at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd in Mar.
Ela Re 15-2 Led and soon clear, hit 6th, ridden when hit 3 out, joined last and headed soon after, no extra, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Ma Yahab at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in Mar.
Hamadeenah 14-1 Mid-division, ridden and headway 3 out, led and not fluent last, headed final 100 yards, rallied, just denied, 2nd of 15, shd behind Fordingbridge at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf.
Euro Bleu (FR) 5-1 Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 5th, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten and eased, 7th of 10, 27l behind Hattington at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Mar.
Dunowen (IRE) 5-1 Held up, headway 4 out, with leader from next, led over 1f out, ridden and headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Tiger Talk at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Mar.
Mystery (GER) 3-1 In touch, ridden after 5th, weakend quickly and pulled up 2 out in race won by Commercial Flyer at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Always In Debt (IRE) 14-1 Chased leader, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 22l behind Pretty Star at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Feb.
