chased leading pair, went 2nd briefly 5th, lost 3rd 8th, 5th and struggling when hit 4 out, plugged on run-in, no danger
chased winner until ridden before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, virtually pulled up final 100 yards, tailed off
held up in mid-division, outpaced when mistake 6th, headway before 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, well held when not fluent and lost 2nd last, driven in 3rd and one pace run-in
held up towards rear, hit 2nd, went left 2 out never on terms, tailed off
held up in 6th, steady headway tracking leading pair 8th, went 2nd before 2 out until between last 2, weakened into 4th before last
mistake 1st, always behind, never on terms, tailed off
held up towards rear, tailed off 8th, pulled up before 3 out
made all, hit 4 out and 2 out, clear last, stayed on strongly run-in, driven out, unchallenged
chased leading trio, pushed along after 4 out, ridden before 3 out, disputing 3rd when stumbled 2 out, went 2nd last, kept on same pace run-in
POUGNE BOBBI was clear at this distance when winning easily at Ludlow nine days ago and this is a much stiffer track. If in the same mood, Nicky Henderson’s novice may be capable of defying his penalty and big weight though Dream Bolt has to be a danger as he ran another cracker in a higher grade over course and distance earlier this month, despite failing to complete the four-timer. Speredek left previous form behind when making all at Taunton but he’s another carrying 7lb extra. Raven’s Tower is pretty reliable but Icing On The Cake was an early casualty in the selection’s race at Ludlow after beating a small field at Newbury.
Pougne Bobbi (FR) 9-2 (11-5) With leader, led 3rd, made rest, drew clear from 3 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Pull The Chord (11-8) by 9l, 13 ran.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 50-1 (11-12) Raced wide and keen, led until after 4th, pressed leader, led again 3 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, chased leaders, weakened approaching the last, 6th of 12, 34 1/4l behind Walt (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Cepage (FR) 5-6fav (10-5) Sweating, raced keenly, led until mistake and headed 5th, chased leader, fell 9th, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Raven's Tower (USA) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, pushed along before 4 out and soon outpaced, kept on from last, took 3rd place run-in, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Just Cameron (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Icing On The Cake (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up behind, mistake and unseated rider 3rd, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Dream Bolt (IRE) 3-1fav (10-1) Took keen hold, held up in close 5th, smooth headway on outside into 2nd before 3 out, ridden between last 2, stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Grey Gold (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Exmoor Mist 11-1 (11-6) In touch on outer, ridden after 5 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, dist behind Atirelarigo (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Speredek (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Made all, not fluent 3 out, clear from next, stayed on, won at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Wade Harper (11-5) by 14l, 6 ran.
Mr Muddle 8-1 (11-9) Made most, hit 3rd, headed 7th, chased winner, ridden after 4 out, lost 2nd before next, chased leading pair until went left and weakened next, 4th of 7, 22l behind Doitforthevillage (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
