tracked leaders, took keen hold, headway approaching 2 out, led after last, kept on, driven out
prominent, ridden and weakened before 3 out
with leader, led after 4 out, ridden and headed before last, rallied and every chance soon after, kept on same run-in
held up towards rear, weakening when hit 4 out
prominent, every chance 4 out, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out
mid-division, pushed along before 2nd, reminders after 4th, weakened from 7th, tailed off
held up mid-division, weakened from 7th
always towards rear
held up towards rear and keen, headway 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear and keen, headway to chase leaders 6th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led, took keen hold, hit 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway on inner 4 out, led before last, headed soon after, kept on
Nigel Twiston-Davies saddles two here with stable jockey Paddy Brennan on board Ackertac, who won twice at Uttoxeter in the autumn, in preference to veteran Made In Japan. Sphinx may be a 13-year-old but showed he was no back number in staying races on the Flat last year, though may find the ground a little lively on his first start over hurdles for almost a year. Quickbeam has been keeping better company than this recently, while there possibilities about Huntingdon fifth I'Ve Been Framed and the first-time blinkered Pipe Banner. Seren Rouge tries his hand in handicaps after a couple of fair efforts in novice events but WILD DESERT ran out an impressive winner when upped in trip over C&D last month and looks capable of defying today's 8lb higher mark.
Al Co (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders to 4th, lost place and behind from next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by James De Vassy (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
Quickbeam (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden between last 2, one pace when not fluent last, carried right flat, kept on towards finish, 5th of 16, 3 1/2l behind Lush Life (11-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Dec.
Ackertac (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 14th of 19, well behind James De Vassy (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Made In Japan (JPN) 33-1 (11-8) Led to 7th, chased leaders, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 18, well behind Universal Soldier (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
I've Been Framed (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, 3rd when not fluent 9th, hampered and well held 3 out, 5th of 13, 14l behind Mr Moonshine (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
Premier Grand Cru (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, hit 5th, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Hunterview (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft.
Always Waining (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leader to 8th, left 2nd again 10th (bechers brook), blundered and lost place 14th, chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace flat, no impression, 6th of 16, 10l behind Frankie Figg (11-5) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Nov.
Night Orbit 11-10fav (11-0) Mistake 1st, soon behind, never jumped well, detatched 10th, bad mistake 5 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Evella (10-4) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (5) sft in Jan, 5 ran.
Flying Doctor 10-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, pushed along approaching 13th, outpaced from 4 out, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, just held for 3rd, 4th of 6, 25l behind Presenting Forever (11-5) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Sphinx (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Mid-division, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased leading pair next to before last, no extra, 4th of 15, 4l behind Mith Hill (10-5) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Mar.
Phare Isle (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, ridden and lost place after 7th, well behind next, pulled up after, in a race won by Mobaasher (11-7) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Pipe Banner 6-1 (11-0) Mid-division, closed 4th, chased winner after 7th until 3 out, weakened flat, 6th of 11, 10l behind Riptide (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Oct.
Wild Desert (FR) 9-2fav (11-4) Close up, led before 7th, clear approaching last, kept on well, pushed out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jan beating China Gold (11-10) by 4 1/2l, 15 ran.
Currahee 33-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, switched left approaching 2 out, kept on same pace to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Last Of The Bunch (11-9) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Seren Rouge 11-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 7th, went poor 3rd before 3 out until last, no impresssion, 4th of 16, 27l behind Railway Dillon (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft.
Kasban 14-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, hit 4 out and ridden, headway to 4th before 2 out, 3rd before last, staying on when badly hampered and stumbled flat, not recover, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Kauto The Roc (10-8) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
