held up in rear but in touch, struggling 9th, under pressure 5 out, soon beaten, tailed off
tracked leaders, weakened after 5 out
keen, jumped left 2nd, led after 4th, headed 9th, led again 4 out, jumped left 3 out and last, kept on well
led, mistake 1st, headed after 4th, led again 9th, headed 4 out, staying on same pace when not fluent last
held up in rear, headway 5 out, ridden to chase leaders next, weakened after 2 out
Nonrunner
Powerful Symbol may well have won at Catterick on his chasing bow had he not landed steeply and unseated Aidan Coleman at the third last. He races off the same mark here so has to go on the short-list. DRUMVIREDY is 5lb worse off than when beating Hollow Blue Sky just over two lengths at Bangor but was well in command at the finish and, less exposed, can confirm that running and follow up here. Veteran Paddy The Oscar still retains some ability but is becoming increasingly hard to predict and the handicapper isn’t taking into account his age.
Drumviredy (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, steady headway tracking leaders 8th, went 4th after 9th, very awkward 12th, 2nd and went left 15th, led after 3 out, clear when went left next, stayed on strongly, driven out, won at Bangor 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Hollow Blue Sky (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Paddy The Oscar (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) With leader, jumped left and bumped 1st, mistake 2nd, hit 10th, led next, headed 12th, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Shanann Star (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Sunny Ledgend 7-1 (11-10) In touch, bumped 1st, mistake 7th, lost place 9th, last pair when blundered 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 17th, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Powerful Symbol (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Led from 2nd, clear from 4 out, looking in command and about 3 lengths up when unseated rider 3 out, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Hollow Blue Sky (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Held up, went prominent in chasing group 3rd, tracked clear leading pair after 9th, blundered next, went 2nd 2 out, held when jumped left last, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Drumviredy (11-10) at Bangor 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Fort Smith (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Mid-division, blundered 1st, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 11, dist behind Beggars Cross (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
