mid-division, pushed along and struggling towards rear before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, tracking leaders travelling well approaching 3 out, pushed along on inside before next, ridden and weakened between last two
led until 1st, chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden between last two, weakened last
held up towards rear, good headway on outside after 3 out, led 2 out, idled and pressed in closing stages, found bit extra close home
chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, led 4 out until before 2 out, chased leaders, one pace when blundered and weakened 2 out
mid-division, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, went 3rd 2 out, soon driven, kept on run-in, finished well into 2nd last stride, not pace to reach winner
towards rear, driven along before 3 out, headway before 2 out, plugging on when fell 2 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out
mistakes 1st and 3rd, held up well in rear, never on terms
mid-division, headway chasing leaders 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure run-in, never going pace to challenge, lost 4th final strides
chased leaders, kept on run-in, went 4th final strides, not quite going pace to challenge
always behind, hit 4th and 7th, tailed off
took keen hold in mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, weakened next, no chance when went badly right 2 out
led 1st until 4 out, chased leader, led again before next, headed 2 out, chased winner, rallied in closing stages, held when lost 2nd final stride
towards rear, tailed off 3 out
Another big field, this one featuring inexperienced riders. None of the top three completed last time but Easter Day is two from two around here. Wade Harper and Salmanazar were also pulled up in their latest outing while Ballyheigue Bay and Return Spring have been chasing, though the latter is looking well treated back over the smaller obstacles. Lizzie Kelly won on DOLORES DELIGHTFUL over this trip at Ludlow last month and Nick Williams' mare appears to have as good a chance as any in this more competitive affair. Optimistic Bias should also go well and Spencer Lea has returned from a lay-off in decent form. The Boss's Dream could also feature along with Haydock fourth Taj Badalandabad.
Easter Day (FR) 11-4 (11-8) In rear and in touch, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 3m (2) hvy in Feb.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
The Boss's Dream (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Prominent, pushed along before 6th, lost place approaching next, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Taj Badalandabad (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Held up in last trio, headway before 3 out, soon chased leaders, ridden before next, kept on same pace, went 4th from last, never on terms, 4th of 11, 14 1/4l behind Mr Moonshine (11-6) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Wade Harper (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, weakened on long run before 2 out, pulled up 2 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
African Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 12th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next, at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Salmanazar 25-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, stumbled 3rd, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Kingfisher Creek 11-4 (11-11) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 6, 19 3/4l behind Tornado In Milan (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, headway on outside 4 out, challenged next, led approaching 2 out, headed when not fluent last, no extra flat, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Delgany Demon (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Spencer Lea 5-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway into 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 4l behind Ballycross (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Dolores Delightful (FR) 4-1 (11-2) In touch, joined leader 7th, led before 3 out, headed approaching next, stayed on same pace, 4th of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sunshine Corner (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Max Forte (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway after 4 out, chased front pair before next, lost 3rd next, well held after, 4th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Mighty Leader (10-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Norse Legend 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Bangkok Pete (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Ballyheigue Bay (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped right and baulked 1st, lost place 6th, behind from 13th, hit 14th, mistake next, soon pulled up, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Return Spring (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Towards rear, reminders and in rear from halfway, tailed off and pulled up, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Seaviper (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division when fell 5th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
