held up in rear, refused 3rd
towards rear, stumbled slightly 1st, rider lost irons, pulled up before next
led, headed 2 out, pushed along before last, kept on one pace, no chance with winner
tracked leader, pushed along from 15th, led last, drew clear run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, took closer order from 9th, blundered and unseated rider 11th
towards rear, in rear and in touch from 3rd, went 2nd before 10th, led 2 out, headed last, ridden and no extra run-in
Blackpool Billy rallied under pressure when a close-up third to Categorical over 2m4f at Newcastle last time but whether this step up in distance will finally see him get his head in front over fences is open to debate. Border Reiver hasn't built on his win at Wetherby in January, but Winter Alchemy promises to prove better over fences than he was over hurdles and shouldn't be far away if his jumping holds up. ROSSINI'S DANCER took a while to get to grips with the larger obstacles but showed a willing attitude to get off the mark at Musselburgh last month and it's just possible he may outstay his rivals here.
Blackpool Billy (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Held up behind, headway 9th, led 4 out, soon pressed, ridden and headed last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Categorical (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Chicago Outfit (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along 6th, weakened after 7th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Kilbrannish Hill (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Border Reiver 5-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 6th, headed 8th, ridden after 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 16l behind Saddlers Deal (10-11) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Rossini's Dancer 8-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway in 3rd when not fluent 5 out, joined leader 3 out, led next, hit last, headed run-in, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Quinder Spring (11-8) by nk, 6 ran.
Winter Alchemy (IRE) 11-2fav (10-13) Tracked leader, pushed along after 3 out, soon lost place, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Knight Valliant (10-8) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hld 0-95 (5) gs in Feb.
Maid In Moscow (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and soon weakened after, 6th of 8, 18l behind Shooting Times (11-6) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
