led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, chased leader after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on
held up towards rear, weakened after 5 out
held up mid-division, weakened 5 out
held up, weakened when blundered 5 out, pulled up next
held up towards rear, mistake 4th, pushed along after 6th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, weakened 5 out
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
held up, chased leaders after 6th, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out
held up, hampered badly on bend after 6th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
BURTON PORT is our pick with Fredo and Fiendish Flame others to catch the eye. Nicky Henderson's charge has shown his better form on a softer surface but he ran a decent race at Sandown last month and can confirm himself as a two-and-a-half miler to follow. Fredo took a Uttoxeter Novice in decent style. He enjoys a sound surface and appears progressive. Fiendish Flame is effectively a hometown runner from the Donald McCain stable. A possible front runner, he does have to reverse form with Fredo on the aforementioned run. Karmadice made light of the handicapper's decision to offer a low mark on introduction but could not follow up. Border Reiver set a frenetic tempo at Doncaster on his latest start but did not get home. Sparrow Hills steps up in grade after a romp at Southwell. Quinz was tried in listed class in France though has yet to offer much for Phillip Hobbs. Danny Zuko won a desperate race at the track last month but did so with a degree of authority. Rouge Et Blanc saw his form given a boost by Trenchant at Aintree but the suspicion is that we'll see the best of him over larger obstacles. Burton Port gets our vote.
Fiendish Flame (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led, clear 4th until before next, ridden and headed last, soon not much room, no extra, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Fredo (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Burton Port (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, effort before 2 out and every chance, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 18, 6l behind Big Eared Fran (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f Grade 3 nov hcp hdl (1) gd in Mar.
Magellan Straits 5-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Lord Larsson (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Sparrow Hills (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Southwell 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Dais Return (11-1) by 15l, 8 ran.
Border Reiver 9-2 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Lake Legend (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gf in Feb.
Fredo (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Held up, headway approaching 5th, challenged 2 out, slight lead last, drifted left, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar beating Arctic Ben (10-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
Karmadice 6-1 (11-9) Made most, headed approaching 3 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 16l behind Pontop (10-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in Mar.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, led after 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, outpaced by winner before last, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Pterodactyl (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Broken Beau (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, hit 2nd, ridden and headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off, 6th of 15, well behind Sergeant Harper (11-3) at Chepstow 3m NH mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Quinz (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 13, 21l behind Qozak (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Danny Zuko (IRE) 5-2 (10-10) In touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear last, won at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar beating Western Whisky (11-1) by 6l, 5 ran.
Rouge Et Blanc (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Led, headed after 2nd, chased leader, led approaching 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last stride, 2nd of 8, nk behind Trenchant (11-0) at Warwick 2m 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
