chased leaders, driven after 3 out, weakened from next, lost remote 4th towards finish
led to 4th, in touch, led again before 6th, headed after 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner in clear 2nd from next
with leader, led 4th to before 6th, led again after 3 out, drew clear from next, kept on, comfortably
close up on outside, lost place 5th, behind from 4 out, plugged on to take remote 4th towards finish
held up in touch on outside, outpaced 3 out, soon lost touch
tracked leaders, driven 4 out, modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair
Nafaath landed a Class 5 handicap at Sedgefield but has been unable to cope with a subsequent weight rise and higher grade including when beaten 10 lengths into second last time. DIVINE PORT has won twice on heavy ground here and also scored in testing conditions at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. He can defy his big weight and go in again. Captain Redbeard gained a comfortable victory at Sedgefield but didn't handle much heavier going here last month and Manballandall has struggled since landing a heavy ground handicap at Hexham last May. Baraka De Thaix, who ran in last year's Triumph Hurdle, has been struggling over longer trips so may be suited by dropping down in distance.
Divine Port (USA) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd briefly after 3 out, outpaced before next, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Card Game (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Baraka De Thaix (FR) 17-2 (11-9) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, went remote 3rd from last until lost 3rd place near finish, 4th of 12, dist behind Say My Name (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Captain Redbeard (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-10) Chased leaders, front pair clear 5th, went 2nd before jumping left 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2 places flat, 4th of 8, 32 1/4l behind Pistol (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Manballandall (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up behind, reminders halfway, weakened from next, 6th of 10, dist behind Shades Of Midnight (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Nafaath (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 3 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Jokers And Rogues (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Rhythm Of Sound (IRE) 18-1 (11-9) Held up behind, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 32 3/4l behind Beyondtemptation (10-9) at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
