tracked winner until 8th, struggling when pecked 10th, no chance from 12th
jumped left throughout, made all unchallenged
disputed 3rd, tracked winner 8th, ridden when mistake 3 out, soon one pace
disputed 3rd, tracked winner 8th until mistake 14th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on again from 2 out
held up, headway 13th, went 2nd next, ridden after 4 out, always being held by winner
Nonrunner
This may prove to be elementary for FIRE AND RAIN such is the rate of his progression but the Henderson team is in such good form that Zanzibar Boy can't be dismissed whilst Harris Bay is well treated. The last named is well treated as a result of a dismal run of form and there's been little sign that he's on the verge of reversing the trend. That said, he's always been hit or miss and he'd have every chance on his best form. Zanzibar Boy hardly rates a more solid option following two reverses, including an eighteen length defeat behind Fire And Rain at Ascot on his most recent outing, but he did win very easily at Towcester in December. Free Gift is back in form and well weighted if able to reach the same heights that he was capable of a couple of years back so he rates highly but Dusty Dane may prefer a stiffer test and Oniz Tiptoes will need to be at his best in order to trouble the judge. Fire And Rain is the only runner in the field that could be termed progressive and he's in the form of his life. True, he has to race from a mark that's 12lbs higher but he's won his last two starts by a combined total of thirty lengths and Fire And Rain is taken to complete his hat-trick in similar fashion.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 16l behind At The Money (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd.
Fire And Rain (FR) 2-1fav (10-6) Led to 4th, chased leader to 6th, prominent until jumped left 9th, mistake 14th, rallied from 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, went left, stayed on strongly flat, won at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar beating Mizen Raven (11-8) by 12l, 9 ran.
Harris Bay 16-1 (11-3) Led, mistake 8th, headed 9th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Kilcrea Asla (11-1) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, reminders after 4th, ridden and headway to 14th, hampered and saddle slipped 4 out, soon plenty to do, stayed on well from 2 out, went 2nd flat, 2nd of 12, 3 1/2l behind Freeline Fury (10-3) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Free Gift 7-2 (11-9) Led, hit 5th, headed next, chased winner until approaching 3 out, soon driven, stayed on one pace flat, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Porters War (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Zanzibar Boy 6-1 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 6th, led 13th, ridden soon after 2 out, tired and headed before last, weakened badly flat, 4th of 9, 18l behind Fire And Rain (10-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
