chased leaders, ridden and weakened 12th, mistake next, tailed off and pulled up soon after
held up, closer when not fluent 7th, chased leading pair 11th until before 3 out, jumped left and 3rd again 3 out, every chance next, one pace last
chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, led 3 out, headed last, stayed on well run-in to head idling leader close home
chased leader until 9th, chased leaders, pushed along going out on last circuit, weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up last, closer in 4th after 4 out, 3rd briefly before next, weakened 2 out
ran in snatches, chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place 4th, towards rear when mistake next, never on terms after, weakened 4 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
in touch, mistake and pecked 9th, weakened 4 out, behind and pulled up before last
led, narrowly headed 3 out, chased leader, in front again at the last, idled badly run-in, headed close home
ECHO WATT has a 12lb hike in the weights to contend with having won easily in the heavy ground at Uttoxeter recently. But that was only his second start over fences and with more to come from him up against today’s moderate opposition, he gets the vote. Shintori won over these fences last year but will need to step up on his a recent fourth at Plumpton while Acaro has won off a similar mark over hurdles but has yet to threaten over fences. Away For Slates is not badly treated on last year’s winning form but has parted company with his rider the last twice now.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 3-1 (12-0) Went 2nd 5-13; one pce 3 out, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Bistouri D'Honore (12-0) at Stafford Cross 3m gs in Apr.
Away For Slates (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Not keen, bucking and kicking from start, jinked right and unseated rider 1st, at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Echo Watt (FR) 4-1fav (11-9) Always well placed, mistake 4 out, led going well 3 out, clear 2 out, unchallenged, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Feb beating Big Meadow (11-12) by 22l, 12 ran.
Acaro (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, behind and struggling 9th, soon pulled up, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Shintori (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Waited with in last pair, steady headway 4 out, 2nd on inside going well before 2 out, not clear run on rail and switched right approaching last, held when not fluent last, found nil and lost 3rd run-in, dropped to 4th post, 4th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Ramore Will (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Alf 'n' Dor (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 7th, ridden after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
O'Rahilly (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off when blundered 3 out, never a factor, 6th of 10, 35 1/4l behind Brother Bennett (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Big Time Frank (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Chased winner until before 5th (water), chased leaders, lost place 7th, never on terms after, 6th of 12, 28 3/4l behind Ballybreen (10-9) at Exeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
