tracked leaders, jumped slowly 6th, ridden after 10th, mistake next (water), outpaced from 13th, soon well beaten and tired, mistake last, closed on 2nd flat
reminder leaving start, tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, not fluent next, went 2nd 7th, led next, blundered and headed 10th, mistake 11th (water), led again before 3 out, soon well clear, trotted over line
pressed leader, led 4th, headed next, 3rd and reminder when fell 12th
led until 4th, led next, headed 9th, left in lead 10th, headed approaching 4 out, soon beaten and tired, just held on for 2nd
Nonrunner
Satou had an entry in a slightly better race here yesterday and may have only been entered in this as a back-up plan but Railway Dillon has to go on the short-list as he won at Ayr and Wetherby before being placed in this grade at Newbury and Bangor. Frontier Spirit has won over hurdles here but is probably on a high enough mark over the larger obstacles at present while Sole Witness has more to do than when winning at Ayr last month. Aikman's jumping remains a concern and he doesn't appear to find much off the bridle so the vote goes to MOLESKIN. The Kempton winner was far from disgraced off his new mark at Sandown in February and his overall form appears to give him the edge on today's rivals.
Frontier Spirit (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 14th of 23, 28l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-11) at Cheltenham 3m 1f Amateur Handicap Chase (0-145) (5yo+) (2) gd in Mar.
Railway Dillon (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Led, not fluent 6th, hard driven 4 out, headed after 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 21l behind French Ties (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Sole Witness (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 6th halfway, 5th when unseated rider 6 out, in a race won by Mister Farmer (9-12) at Fairyhouse 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 gs, 15 ran.
Moleskin (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Led until 8th, tracked leaders, went 2nd 15th, led next, headed 2 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Reblis (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Aikman (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Led 1st, tracked clear leader, lost 2nd at 10th, headway 5 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Quentin Collonges (10-9) at Doncaster 3m beg chase (4) gd in Feb.
Satou (FR) 7-2fav (10-12) Chased leader until 2nd prominent, left 2nd and hampered 7th, mistake 10th, every chance 2 out, switched left before last, stayed on to lead final 100 yards, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Present To You (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
