led until 4th, chased leader until 4 out, 2nd again and slightly hampered 3 out, soon switched right, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened
in touch, headway chasing leaders before 7th, 3rd before next, weakened before 9th, behind and struggling 11th, mistake 12th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, pulled up before next
chased leader until 2nd chased leading pair until before 8th, lost place soon after, modest 5th 2 out
held up in touch, headway chasing leaders when not fluent and lost place 6th (water), rallied next, went 3rd 11th, led 4 out, jumped left after, headed last, no extra run-in
not fluent 1st, held up in last pair, jumped slowly 7th, headway chasing leaders 10th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders, tracked leader 2nd, led 4th, hit 10th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened 2 out
held up last, steady headway tracking leaders before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on strongly to go clear run-in
NonRunner
NonRunner
It’s exactly 12 months since Seeyouatmidnight last saw a racecourse but he’s been very lightly raced for his age and has travelled down from the Scottish Borders. Sametegal bids to give Paul Nicholls a third win in this in four years and won over course and distance two years ago off a 2lb higher mark so has to go on the short-list. Kayf Adventure ran at Cheltenham after finishing third at Warwick and is rarely far away while Pain Au Chocolat was only beaten a head at Wetherby last time over this trip. Harry Whittington gave COLD MARCH a spin over hurdles in January and he probably ran better than expected. He’s won four times over fences, including in Listed company, and is not badly treated on his best form. Plaisir D'Amour, Virgilio and Tiquer have all had a break while this looks too tough for Dusky Lark.
Seeyouatmidnight 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Big River (10-9) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Cold March (FR) 11-2 (10-7) Chased winner, not fluent 6th or 7th, lost 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 6, 12 1/4l behind Boite (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed run-in, rallied and just held post, 2nd of 8, hd behind Mercian Prince (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Kayf Adventure 25-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, slightly hampered 9th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden after next, plugged on flat, never theatened leaders, 7th of 19, 16 3/4l behind Mister Whitaker (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) sft in Mar.
Plaisir D'Amour (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, lost place and reminders after 7th, behind when pulled up after next, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Dusky Lark 16-1 (11-8) Prominent, every chance before not fluent 2 out, soon one pace and beaten, left 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Fortunate George (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Tiquer (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division on outside, struggling when mistake 11th, behind 4 out, stayed on flat, no chance, 7th of 12, 17 1/2l behind On Tour (10-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Virgilio (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 11th, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 12th, at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Sametegal (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Hampered 1st, mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders 9th, pushed along before 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 8th of 12, 24l behind Ballydine (10-11) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
