led until slow jump 1st, ran in snatches after, chased leaders, dropped to rear before jumped slowly 7th, no chance after, tailed off when went right 2 out
held up in rear but in touch, headway to 3rd before and pecked 7th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression next
chased leaders, pulled up and dismounted 7th
chased leader, led 5th until 7th, chased leader, led again 4 out, clear 2 out, in no danger when hit last
led 1st, narrowly headed 5th, chased winner, led again 7th, mistake and headed 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd 3 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Sotovik was entered to run in a better race here yesterday and it remains to be seen if he'll face the starter. In any case, he could struggle to give weight to the evergreen POLAR GUNNER, whose record shows four victories on heavy ground in his 12 career wins. Malcolm Jefferson's veteran would be a popular winner of this and is preferred to Rossini's Dancer, who has been struggling to get his head in front lately and is better over further. Nelson Du Ronceray was behind the selection at Ayr last month and Grey Soldier hasn't really taken to fences and is probably best watched again this afternoon.
Grey Soldier (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leader in 2nd, led 5 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no extra, 10th of 17, 36l behind Lucky William (11-10) at Fairyhouse 2m 1f nov chs gs.
Nelson du Ronceray (FR) 20-1 (11-5) Towards rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden after last, no impression, 6th of 9, 8l behind Parson's Punch (10-7) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Polar Gunner 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led narrowly 4th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and no impression with winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 9l behind The Thirsty Bricky (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Rossini's Dancer 9-1 (11-7) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th, led narrowly 4 out to 2 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, 10 lengths down when tired jump last, 2nd of 7, 17l behind Mr Woods (10-13) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Mar.
Red Kingdom (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 6th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 24l behind Saddle Pack (9-10) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Sotovik (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Led to 3rd, led again 6th, ridden before 2 out, headed last, no extra, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Saddle Pack (9-10) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
