led, pushed along after 3 out, headed before 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner
mid-division in 4th, headway before 4 out to chase leader, led before 2 out, clear before last
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, went 4th before 2 out, no impression
always behind, struggling from 3rd, tailed off
took keen hold, tracked leader until before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 3 out
towards rear, struggling from 3rd, pulled up before 4 out, tailed off
in rear, detached after 3rd, tailed off
Dark Dune finally got his head in front over hurdles at Newcastle last month but is going to find things tougher from now on under a penalty. Kolonel Kirkup has shown signs of promise but he was beaten 18 lengths by BENZANNO at Catterick last time and it's difficult to see him reversing that form, despite the revised terms. Hope For Glory was even further behind and Donald McCain's five-year-old, who had a 90-plus rating on the Flat, can make all again here. Brave Spartacus, who has won four times over fences, is likely to need this but could be worth noting when going back over the larger obstacles.
Benzanno (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Made all, ridden 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb beating Kolonel Kirkup (10-7) by 18l, 10 ran.
Dark Dune (IRE) 11-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders and raced wide, went 2nd from 3rd, challenged 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Island Heights (11-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
Bollin Line 50-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, went 5th before last, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 31l behind Tikkandemickey (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 28-1 (11-4) Led, blundered 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr, 18 ran.
Hope For Glory 33-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 10, well behind Benzanno (11-2) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Rockabilly Riot (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, effort and every chance between last 2, one pace last, gradually weakened flat, 5th of 10, 12l behind Desoto County (11-1) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Kolonel Kirkup 9-2 (10-7) Soon in touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to challenge next, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 18l behind Benzanno (11-2) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Tara Springs 100-1 (10-8) Held up in rear but in touch, jumped slowly 3rd and 4th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Stonebrook (11-7) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Bulas Belle 8-1 (9-13) Took keen hold tracking leaders, led halfway, hard driven over 2f out, soon strongly challenged, headed post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Philosofy (10-6) at Catterick 2m mares n h flat (6) hvy in Jan.
