held up in touch, challenged and hit 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, under pressure after last, driven out
close up, led 5th and keen, blundered 11th, ridden approaching and headed after 5 out, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 13th, ridden before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
led to 5th, tracked leader, pushed along and reminders after 9th, outpaced before 11th, never dangerous
prominent, went 2nd at the 8th, led after 5 out, headed and blundered 2 out, rallied from last and soon every chance, no extra towards finish
held up in rear, pushed along and reminders before 10th, soon outpaced, plugged on from 4 out, no impression
tracked leaders early, mid-division from 5th, in 3rd and held when blundered 4 out, no impression
close up, towards rear from 3rd, ridden before 13th, blundered 5 out when weakening
Nonrunner
Sue Smith won this a year ago and will be hoping for a repeat with Daldini, who was a disappointing favourite at Newcastle last month. Marleybow was also market leader when well beaten here in October but he's not badly handicapped and will like the ground. YOUNGSTOWN has invariably competed at a higher level and though not a prolific winner he'll enjoy the drop in grade and can take this for Donald McCain. Maurisca has won twice when dropped into Class 4 company but a penalty for scoring at Market Rasen last week puts him on his highest ever mark as is Festival King, who is 9lb higher than when scoring over fences at Ayr in January.
Maurisca (FR) 2-1fav (11-12) Keen in touch, hit 7th, headway next, led 10th, clear from 3 out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Oniz Tiptoes (10-8) by 8l, 7 ran.
Youngstown (IRE) 7-4fav (11-5) Chased leading duo, ridden along before 10th, no chance with front pair next, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Patman Du Charmil (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
It's Like That (IRE) 10-1 (12-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 8th, hit next, hampered 5 out, soon trapped in behind loose horse, weakened 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 11, 45l behind Fort View (11-11) at Newbury 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs.
Lampion du Bost (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 10, 26l behind Garleton (9-13) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Marleybow (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, ridden 4 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake 2 out, 5th of 12, 35l behind Le Platino (10-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Seize 17-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, hampered 8th, hampered 12th, left 2nd 6 out, chased leading pair after 5 out, weakened after 4 out, 3rd of 6, 32l behind Work Boy (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Daldini 9-2fav (10-0) With leader, led 4th, headed approaching 5 out, ridden to regain lead approaching next, headed after 3 out, weakened last 100 yards, 4th of 10, 7l behind Cavers Glen (10-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Lahib The Fifth (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Jumped slowly and reminder 1st, in touch in rear, headway 5th, not fluent 6th (water), lost place 7th, hit 9th and 11th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Handtheprizeover (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb, 9 ran.
Festival King (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, hit 2 out, ridden approaching and challenged last, soon headed, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Vallani (10-11) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
