keen in touch, hit 7th, headway next, led 10th, clear from 3 out
led, headed 4th, weakened 8th, pulled up 10th
with leader, led 4th, headed 7th, weakened next, pulled up 11th
tracked leader, led 7th, headed 10th, weakened next, behind when pulled up 2 out
pulled hard, held up, headway to track leader after 7th, ridden to chase winner 10th, plugged on one pace
in touch in rear, headway 8th, ridden to go 3rd 3 out, plugged on one pace
in touch in rear, headway after 4th, lost place 7th, headway 4 out, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on one pace
Persian Gates won over these fences in November and so a big run from him would be no surprise. Maurisca posted a decent effort at Exeter last time and he can figure, but Brimham Boy and Oniz Tiptoes look high enough in the weights now. In contrast, Karingreason has dropped down to a tempting mark and produced a better effort over C&D three weeks ago, but a chance is taken on RAGADOR. He's disappointed in a couple of starts since winning here last August but today's drop in class and the fact Sue Smith has won this race twice in the last three years suggest a return to form is likely.
Maurisca (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Mid-division, badly hampered 4th and did well to recover, soon lost place, headway from 5 out, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Inside Dealer (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Brimham Boy 6-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, mistake 7th, not fluent next, lost 2nd when mistake 13th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 10, 10l behind Sawpit Supreme (10-8) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Ragador 25-1 (10-13) Hit 1st, chased leaders, lost place and ridden 3rd, mistake 7th, soon lost touch, scrambled over last 3, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Deuteronomy (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Lorum Leader (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Disputed 2nd, lost place 16th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Double Dizzy (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Persian Gates (IRE) 10-11fav (11-3) Took keen hold, led, 2 lengths ahead 3 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, soon beaten, last of 2, 4 1/2l behind Ours (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy.
Karingreason 7-1 (10-8) Held up in touch, outpaced after 4 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd at last, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Nomadic Warrior (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 9th, soon outpaced, rallied after 2 out, stayed on under pressure, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 11l behind Mauricetheathlete (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
