chased leaders, closed 8th, led 3 out, asserting and 3 lengths ahead when mistake and unseated rider 2 out
prominent, lost place before 4th, behind from 6th
held up in rear, went 4th from 4th, pushed along 8th, left 2nd from 2 out, closed on idling winner last, held flat, stayed on
prominent, challenged 4 out, not fluent and went left 3 out, 3 lengths down when left in lead and jumped left again 2 out, soon idled, ridden out flat
led until 3 out, one pace from next
always in rear, left 4th 2 out
Eastview Boy won over course and distance in between his more usual modest efforts and it’s anybody’s guess what mood he’ll be in today. Casual Cavalier won a lower grade chase at Ayr recently and is upped 9lb while MAXED OUT KING also has a hike in the weights to contend with. But the latter has now won both starts over fences after scoring over 2m4f here last time and Sue Smith’s charge looks capable of better still. The Herds Garden was placed in better company at Carlisle in October but has yet to win in 13 starts over fences.
The Herds Garden 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, fell 4th, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Shanroe Street (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 10th, tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Bop Along (10-13) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Eastview Boy 11-2 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 9th, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Special Wells (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) Evensfav (12-6) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, clear from 2 out, won at Ayr 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Sky Full Of Stars (11-12) by 14l, 5 ran.
Maxed Out King (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Made all, blundered 3 out, clear when blundered next, stayed on strongly, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Money Maid (11-8) by 9l, 12 ran.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Towards rear, unseated 3rd, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
