chased leader, mistake 2nd, lost 2nd bypassing omitted 3 out, went 2nd again approaching 2 out until approaching last, 3rd and one pace run-in
held up in rear, driven along and struggling before 2 out, never a factor
chased leaders on inside, mistake 5th, driven and weakened before 2 out, eased
mid-division, pushed along on long run to 2 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, hit 3rd, pushed along one pace and no impression from 2 out,
led, clear 3rd, hit next, headed under pressure before 2 out, weakening quickly when fell 2 out
always towards rear
held up in last pair, good headway on long run to 2 out, chased leaders 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no impression when hit last, kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, good headway on outside bypasing omitted 3 out, pushed along and outpaced between last 2, stayed on to 4th last, stayed on same pace run-in
in touch in mid-division on outside, hit 4th and pushed along, under pressure bypassing omiitted 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 2 out, no chance when blundered last
chased leaders, went 2nd bypassing omitted 3 out, led before 2 out, driven clear before last, stayed on well run-in, driven out
pulled hard in mid-division on inside, blundered 1st, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed laong on long run to 2 out, soon weakened
towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, never on terms
held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, driven in 4th and one pace between last 2, one pace and no impression run-in
Richard Johnson is fancied to go close in the opener and has another excellent chance in this on board HORIZONTAL SPEED, who is still on the upgrade judged on his latest wide-margin victory at Taunton. This is a step up but all of his rivals also have to prove themselves in this grade. Tom Scudamore rides the hat-trick-seeking Knight Of Noir instead of top weight Doctor Harper and he has to be feared while Ceasar Milan has finally got his act together. Strollawaynow is shooting up the weights, however, while Portway Flyer came up short against Vaniteux at Doncaster last time, though the winner is Cheltenham-bound. Plenty of the remainder arrive in good form and warrant respect with Theatrebar among those at the bottom of the handicap with each-way claims.
Doctor Harper (IRE) Evensfav (11-12) Made all, ridden 2 out, clear approaching last, eased flat, won at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Feb beating Robbers Roost (11-2) by 12l, 5 ran.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, smooth headway on outside approaching 3 out, tracked leaders approaching next, went 2nd travelling well between last 2, produced to lead last, soon shaken up and quickened clear, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Feb beating Brother Du Berlais (11-7) by 6l, 9 ran.
Horizontal Speed (IRE) 4-6fav (11-5) Made all, not fluent 1st, clear from 7th, increased advantage when not fluent 2 out, unchallenged, won at Taunton 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan beating Kayfleur (11-1) by 41l, 10 ran.
Strollawaynow (IRE) 2-1fav (11-11) Led until after 2nd, pressed leader, led again 4th, headed on long run to 2 out, soon driven and looked held, rallied as winner idled 2 out, ridden between last 2, chance when hit last, weakened flat, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Boogie In The Barn (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Ceasar Milan (IRE) 4-6fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, 2nd 3 out, led narrowly approaching when mistake 2 out and headed soon after, stayed challenging, upsides last, led again run-in, driven out (no time taken), won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Feb beating Somemothersdohavem (10-8) by nk, 5 ran.
Classic Move (IRE) 5-4 (11-8) Made all and keen, soon clear until 3 out, drew clear again after next, easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan beating River Bollin (10-4) by 23l, 8 ran.
Vice Et Vertu (FR) 6-5fav (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 5th, pushed along before 2 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 8, 25l behind Classic Move (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 7-4 (11-5) Close up, hit and went 3rd 7th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Doctor Harper (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Feb.
Brother Brian (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Chased winner, ridden before 2 out, no impression when dropped to 3rd soon after 2 out, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Cole Harden (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Panama Petrus (IRE) 7-4fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, chased winner before last, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 17l behind The Ramblin Kid (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb.
Gone Too Far 11-4 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Vaniteux (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
Brave Vic (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Slight lead, hit 3rd, pushed along and headed before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace flat, lost 2nd final 100 yards, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Hot Whiskey N Ice (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Steel City 5-2 (11-5) With leader, blundered 2nd, led before 6 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 12, 22l behind Strollawaynow (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Theatrebar 5-2fav (11-12) Led, quickened pace 5 out, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd run-in, no extra and lost 3rd place towards finish, 4th of 6, 8l behind Join The Clan (10-13) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
Goohar (IRE) 2-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led after 6th, headed 3 out, led again before next where not fluent, headed flat, rallied to lead again close home, won at Haydock 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Dec beating Desoto County (10-12) by hd, 8 ran.
Boondooma (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Took keen hold in touch, steady headway to track leaders before 3 out, weakening when went left 2 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Knight Of Noir (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Feb.
Portway Flyer (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, chased winner before last, one pace and no impression, 2nd of 10, 12l behind Vaniteux (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
