close up on outer, tracked leader 3rd, jumped right next, reminders 11th, weakened 3 out
close up, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
led, headed 3rd, tracking leaders when fell 7th
in rear when fell 9th
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed before 12th, weakened 3 out
held up, headway to lead 12th, ridden and headed 3 out, plugged on same pace
prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened next, soon heavily eased
held up, mistake 4 out, headway next, soon chased leader, ridden to lead flat
in rear, hampered 7th, headway 12th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, plugged on same pace
held up, headway 4 out, led next, soon ridden, mistake last, headed flat
Market Rasen runner-up I've Been Framed looks the pick of Sarah Humphrey's two runners here ahead of veteran Knight Legend, while Paul Moloney has chosen Wester Ross ahead of stablemate and recent Plumpton winner Plunkett. TAFFY THOMAS jumped really well when making a winning debut over the larger obstacles at Market Rasen and has plenty of scope. He's still at the right end of the handicap and can go in again as Pilgrims Lane, who will have needed his comeback at Ludlow, would probably prefer more of a stamina test. Prince Des Marais beat Knight Legend by 16 lengths over C&D in March last year and could be interesting after a pipe-opener at Southwell.
Knight Legend (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, reminders 7th, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up soon after 4 out, in a race won by Emperor's Choice (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Apr, 7 ran.
Russian Flag (FR) 8-1 (11-8) In touch towards rear on outside, hit 3rd, pecked next, well beaten 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Oceana Gold (11-11) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Apr, 7 ran.
Pilgrims Lane (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, ridden in 8th after 16th, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Fairoak Lad (11-4) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Wester Ross (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Held up, stumbled and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Cruchain (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp chs (0-135) (3) sft in Apr, 5 ran.
Persian Gates (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Led 1st until after 4th, led 6th, headed 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 15, 36l behind Zitenka (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gs.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 17l behind Hawkhill (11-5) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
I've Been Framed (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) With leader, effort and every chance 3 out, ridden to lead narrowly after last, headed flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Ballyallia Man (11-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Apr.
Plunkett (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Held up in touch, headway on inside to chase leader 2 out, joined leader last, soon led, ridden and ran on, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft beating Evella (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Taffy Thomas 15-2 (10-11) Held up, headway after 7th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, driven to lead flat, stayed on and in command towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating North Stack (11-2) by 1l, 8 ran.
That's The Deal (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, bumped and went 2nd 6th until next, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Jacks Grey (10-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
