tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and 8 lengths clear 3 out, headed between last 2, soon weakened
jumped right, led to 2nd, chased clear leader, mistake and lost place 4th, reminders next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
soon outpaced, lost touch halfway, still plenty to do 4 out, went 12 lengths 3rd 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly from last to lead towards finish
held up, blundered 6th, steady headway after next, went 2nd 5 out, driven and outpaced 3 out, stayed on to lead between last 2, ridden and kept on until headed and no extra towards finish
chased leaders, reminders 3rd, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
hampered 1st, in touch, chased leaders 6th to 5 out, soon ridden and outpaced, weakened 3 out
Nonrunner
Kirby's Vic was good value for his win at Leicester earlier this month and has to be respected on that evidence but a 7lb rise for that success leaves him with more to do today and preference is for Leo's Lucky Star, who gets the vote over Art Virginia. The last mentioned won well at Market Rasen at the beginning of the month and may have found his latest start when disappointing at Fakenham coming too soon after that effort so he cannot be discounted. Fencote Gold looks the pick of Peter Beaumont's two runners ahead of Curran but needs to improve on all known form and a safer bet looks to be Leo's Lucky Star. David Pipe's gelding has shown gradual improvement this term, looks well treated and he is taken to give weight away all round.
Leo's Lucky Star (USA) 11-4 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 19, 4 1/2l behind Ede's (9-7) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Rebond (FR) 100-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden and weakened before 8th, 10th of 14, well behind Tamadot (11-2) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Art Virginia (FR) 9-2 (9-10) In touch, hit 12th, blundered next, soon under pressure and beaten, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Romany Dream (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Pret A Thou (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, pulled hard, losing ground on leaders from 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, 4th of 7, 27l behind Desert Quest (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd.
Nobel Bleu de Kerpau (FR) 18-1 (10-6) In rear, hampered 1st, behind from 5th, mistake 6th and 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the 13th in race won by Young Smokey (10-12) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs, 8 ran.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 14-1 (9-11) Led, clear 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, rallied to lead again last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating I'm The Decider (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 9 ran.
Fencote Gold 12-1 (10-2) Led to 3rd, chased winner until blundered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Northern Quest (10-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 10 ran.
Curran (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, lost place 4 out, 7th of 10, 38l behind Stagecoach Amber (11-0) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gf.
