chased leaders, mistake and lost place 3rd, ridden and hit 3 out, no chance after
in touch, ridden and struggling 5th, soon well behind
chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, no chance after
always in rear, tailed off
in touch, chasing leaders and hit 3 out, challenged next, every chance when carried left flat, stayed on same pace final 100 yards
refused to race and took no part
led, pressed from 4th, headed 3 out, weakened soon after
chased leader, challenged from 4th, led 3 out, headed soon after, stayed challenging, rallied well flat to lead final 50 yards
in touch, headway to chase leaders 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after, edged left flat, headed final 50 yards
Bugsy's Boy just did enough when successful at Plumpton last week but this is tougher under his penalty and a better bet looks to be MARCHAND D'ARGENT, who is taken to follow up his recent Taunton success and he gets the verdict with Figurita rated the pick of the remainder. The selection goes without a penalty for his victory in a hands and heels rider¿s race that he won with plenty in hand and the Philip Hobbs-trained six-year-old has an obvious chance of going in again. Nicky Henderson's Bonchester Bridge has been fairly well held in all three starts this term and is hard to recommend on that evidence, while Love Angel has failed to complete in his last two starts and looks best watched. Irish raider Rookery Rebel has to be considered but needs to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Charlie Mann's runners continue in good form so his runner Figurita, who has been showing improved form of late, has to be considered but it is hard to get away from the well-treated Marchand d'Argent.
Bugsy's Boy 16-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 6th, went 2nd 3 out, 2 lengths down, driven and looked held last, stayed on to lead near finish, won at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Sumdancer (10-2) by a hd, 11 ran.
Lester Leaps In (USA) 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 15th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Cresswell Willow (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Bonchester Bridge 10-1 (11-6) Held up behind leaders, ridden after 8th, challenged for 3rd 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 25l behind Fix The Rib (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Rookery Rebel (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, 7th halfway, headway to 5th 4 out, 3rd before straight, ridden in 4th and wide entering straight, soon no extra and weakened, 9th of 14, 37l behind Up There (11-1) at Clonmel 2m 4f nov hcp chs sft in Feb.
Marchand D'argent (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead last, quickened clear flat, won at Taunton 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb beating Picot de Say (11-6) by 11l, 16 ran.
Love Angel (USA) 66-1 (11-2) Reluctant to race, in rear, reminders, blundered 9th, ridden 11th, behind and refused 2 out in race won by Ashwell (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Quasimodo (GB) 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 7th, 6th of 8, well behind Synchronised (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan.
Figurita 8-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 15l behind Dansimar (11-9) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 20-1 (9-8) Raced in mid-division, ridden and lost place after 3 out, 8th of 14, 18l behind Stance (10-4) at Sandown 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
