in touch in 5th, hit 12th, in rear from 15th, struggling 18th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in last pair, headway to 4th at 16th, went 3rd next, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace before next
raced wide, chased leaders until lost place and in rear 16th, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leader, led 4th, narrowly headed 13th, chased leader until 10th ridden before 2 out, challenged last, edged left flat, stayed on to lead close home
raced in 4th, went 2nd 10th, led 13th, hit 18th, ridden and joined last, stayed on until no extra and headed close home
led until 4th, chased leader until 10th, chased leaders, slow 17th, 4th when hit 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
held up in last pair until unseated rider 4th
Rate Of Knots appears to be coming to hand and was just touched off over 3m1f at Warwick in January off a 3lb lower mark. She has her stamina to prove over this marathon trip, however, whereas VICTORY GUNNER can virtually be guaranteed to be staying on when others have cried enough. Richard Lee's charge is in the veteran stage nowadays but returned to winning ways at Towcester last month and clearly retains plenty of ability. Dunkelly Castle was a little disappointing at Huntingdon last time but his earlier form entitles him to respect in this grade and he is probably better weighted than Rudinero, who was put up 8lb after winning at Taunton.
Old Benny 14-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, chased leaders after 6th, soon mid-division, reminders approaching 15th, soon weakened, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Synchronised (11-6) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs (1) sft in Jan, 18 ran.
Rate of Knots (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Behind, mistake 2nd, headway 12th, driven 3 out, challenged next, ridden last, switched left and stayed on to lead narrowly flat, headed post, 2nd of 10, hd behind Mr Big (11-4) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Dunkelly Castle (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, not fluent 7th or 9th, weakened approaching 13th, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Squadron (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs in Feb.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Led 3rd until 8th, led next, ridden after 3 out, drifted to stands rail after 2 out, jumped right last, stayed on, won at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Feb beating Atherstone Hill (10-1) by 2l, 8 ran.
Noble Bily (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Mid-division, jumped slowly 10th, tailed off 14th, behind when pulled up before 16th, in a race won by Minella Boys (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Rudinero (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) In touch, went 2nd 4th, led 5 out, headed next, left in clear lead 3 out, easily, won at Taunton 3m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating River Indus (11-2) by 16l, 10 ran.
No More Prisoners (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Held up in rear, progress 6th, went 4th at 10th, no chance from 12th, kept on flat to press for distant 3rd, tailed off, 4th of 7, well behind Native Gallery (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (5) gd in Feb.
