led, took keen hold, headed 3rd, led again 10th, challenged 4 out, drew clear next, very easily
tracked leader, led 3rd, jumped left 9th and 10th, soon headed, rallied 4 out, weakened after next, no chance with winner, modest 2nd
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
BELAMI DES PICTONS hasn’t looked back since making his chasing debut at Fontwell in November. He got of the mark in a competitive novices’ handicap on his second start and then won by 22 lengths at Warwick. Though facing a stiff task giving 10lb to recent course and distance runner-up Dueling Banjos, Venetia Williams’ six-year-old is fancied to be up to the task. Zeroeshadesofgrey’s defeat of Royal Vacation at Wetherby in October could not have worked out much better but the pair have gone in opposite directions since, though the grey’s latest poor run was over hurdles.
Belami Des Pictons (FR) 7-4fav (11-6) Prominent, led 4th, headed 9th, led again 10th, clear 4 out, even further clear 2 out, easily, won at Warwick 3m (3) hvy in Feb beating Arctic Gold (11-0) by 22l, 6 ran.
Zeroeshadesofgrey (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, not fluent 9th or 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, last of 7, 33l behind Cogry (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Dueling Banjos 10-1 (11-3) Led until 5th, led 10th, headed 12th, led 13th, headed before 4 out, led 2 out, edged left last, headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bells 'n' Banjos (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Prince Of Steal (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 4th, at Fakenham 2m 5f (4) gs in Feb.
