tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and clear before last, easily
led, headed before 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner 3 out, ridden and no impression from before last
NonRunner
Cracking Find didn’t do himself justice at Catterick last month but looks too close in the weights here to JOHANOS. Nigel Hawke’s charge easily landed the odds at Carlisle 13 days ago having shown promise in his first two runs over hurdles. There should be plenty more to come from the top weight and he’ll be even better when going chasing. The brush hurdles shouldn’t be a problem for Middlebrow as he has point-to-point experience but Just So Cool's lack of a recent run is a concern and he looked like a stayer last season.
Johanos (FR) 4-6fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd after 5th until next, led and hit 3 out, pushed clear before next, easily, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Mar beating Thomas Do (11-2) by 20l, 5 ran.
Cracking Find (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-11) Took keen hold, tracked led after 2nd until 5th, chased leader, led again after 3 out until before next, weakened soon after, 6th of 8, 29 1/2l behind Cooking Fat (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Middlebrow (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) In touch in 4th, headway before 2 out to go 3rd, ridden and every chance last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind El Massivo (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Just So Cool (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 3rd and bumped last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Church Field (11-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
