led, headed when came into view after 9th, in touch, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, headway 11th, chased front pair before 4 out, soon ridden, lost place and beaten when came back into view after last, lost 4th final strides
tracked leaders, pushed along 11th, behind from next, plugged on to take 4th final strides, no impression
always prominent, led 5 out, clear when came back into view after last, driven out
tracked leaders, pressed winner after 5 out, ridden and well held when came back into view after last lost 2nd final strides
prominent, leader when came into view after 9th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, driven to chase leaders after 5 out, outpaced next, 3rd when came back into view after last, stayed on to take 2nd final strides, no impression with winner
Nonrunner
Little Jon is well treated on his best form but the Newbury third has never won over a trip this far. PEARL SWAN (NAP) dotted up over 2m4f at Southwell last time and won over track and trip in November ahead of a subsequent winner. In between, he ran well in a hot handicap at Chepstow and his stable won this last year. Abbeygrey hasn’t won over fences since 2014 and may be a few pounds too high but it would be no surprise to see Horatio Hornblower stage a revival and Bob Ford, who has won here in the past, has his sights lowered. Waldorf Salad is best watched at present, however.
Waldorf Salad 12-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, pulled up before 6 out, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Little Jon 12-1 (11-11) Slowly into stride, in rear, hampered by loose horse 3rd, headway 13th, 5th when mistake last, went 3rd and stayed on flat, unable to challenge, 3rd of 13, 3 3/4l behind Brandon Hill (11-9) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Bob Ford (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in mid-division, mistake 3rd, well beaten 18th, pulled up after, at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Pearl Swan (FR) 15-8 (11-5) Pressed leader, led 8th, headed narrowly after next, regained lead after 10th, drew clear on bit before 3 out, unchallenged, won at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan beating Jack In A Box (10-12) by 33l, 6 ran.
Kayf Moss 25-1 (10-11) Tracked winner, effort 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 32l behind Ami Desbois (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Horatio Hornblower (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, close up from before 9th, mistake 14th, no extra 2 out, 6th of 13, 13 1/2l behind Brandon Hill (11-9) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Beforeall (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Towards rear, blundered badly and unseated rider 6th, at Plumpton 3m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Abbeygrey (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-7) Close up, in rear, went 3rd at 9th, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out and last, rallied close home, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Shinooki (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Union Jack D'ycy (FR) 66-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, lost place when mistake 4 out, well beaten after next, 5th of 12, 33l behind Courtown Oscar (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
