jumped well, made all, came easily clear before 2 out, unchallenged
chased winner throughout and clear of field, pushed along before 3 out, well held before next
prominent in chasing group, went remote 3rd 2 out, weakened into 4th run-in
just about in touch in chasing group, plugged on in remote 5th
held up and behind, bit closer at 4th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased clear leading pair, never remotely on terms, lost remote 3rd 2 out, weakened
always behind, tailed off
in touch in chasing group, plugged on from 2 out, went remote 3rd run-in, never on terms
always behind, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
prominent in chasing group until weakened
in rear, blundered 3rd, never a factor
Jimmy The Digger took off with Andrew Tinkler at Sandown and, after blundering through the first two obstacles, eventually fell on the flat. He’s probably best watched here which might leave the two previous winners fighting out the finish. Khage was an easy winner over course and distance last month and an earlier second at Ffos Las has been franked but he carries a double penalty so has to give 13lb to the four-year-old OLEG, who made a pleasing start for Paul Nicholls at Kelso and should have more to offer.
Khage (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) Made all, went clear 3 out, winged the last, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Mar beating Antunes (11-7) by 8l, 9 ran.
Oleg (GER) 11-10 (10-7) Tracked leader from 1st, challenged 3rd, mistake 3 out, led next, slow last, driven and pressed flat, in command towards finish, won at Kelso 2m (4) gs in Mar beating Pogue (11-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Beau Haze 100-1 (11-1) Always behind, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind Mcnamaras Band (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Elton Des Mottes (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Winston C (11-6) at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Jimmy The Digger 7-2 (11-1) Raced keenly, led and soon clear, stumbled and fell on flat after 3rd, at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Joey Steel (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Soon behind, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Birds Of Prey (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Nordenfelt (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Khage (11-7) at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Pond Road (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, 8th of 12, dist behind Locker Room Talk (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gd in Mar.
Beecher (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division, took keen hold, struggling final 5f, last of 12, dist behind Green Dolphin (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Biscay Bay 100-1 (10-7) Mid-division, behind from 4 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Sofia's Rock (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Caviciana 25-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway over 2f out, no impression, 9th of 14, 27 3/4l behind Miss Honey Ryder (11-0) at Taunton 2m (5) gs in Jan.
Crown Of Roses 150-1 (10-7) Held up, always behind, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Humble Hero (11-0) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Mar.
Havana River (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Dostal Phil (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
