held up in rear, headway before 12th, led before last, kept on and headed run-in, held towards finish
chased leaders, challenged 4 out, weakened before next
close up early, soon dropped towards rear, headway before 12th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
close up, unseated rider 5th
led to 4th, led again 11th, pressed when pecked 2 out, soon headed, rallied to regain lead run-in, held on towards finish
chased leaders, led 4th, headed 11th, lost place 12th, weakened before 5 out
with leaders, weakened before 6 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, fell 9th
Unioniste has a wonderful record over fences with a strike-rate of 10-33. He's been running in hunter chases for the past couple of seasons but was beaten when long odds-on at Wincanton when last seen in May. Samuel Jackson won a 3m novices' event at Exeter and ran very well for a long way on his handicap debut over 3m6f there last month and he has the scope to do better. Regal Flow won this last year but hasn't been in anything like that kind of form so the vote goes to ACHILLE. Venetia Williams' grey has really found his form in recent weeks and, though climbing the ratings, he looked ready to win again when scoring in this class at Sandown. Rolling Dylan has run in Class 2 events the last twice and will appreciate the drop in grade.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway chasing leaders approaching 12th, kept on, 5th of 16, 12 3/4l behind Classic Ben (10-10) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Regal Flow 40-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, slow 8th, driven 15th, weakened 4 out, mistake next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Royal Vacation (10-12) at Taunton 3m 4f (2) gs in Jan.
Lovely Job (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led 1st, headed narrowly 12th, lost place 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, left modest 4th last, 4th of 6, 26 3/4l behind Solstice Star (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Like The Sound (FR) 5-2fav (11-5) With leader, led briefly 8th, led 12th to 14th, weakened 3 out (usual 4 out), tailed off when pulled up 2 out, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Samuel Jackson 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, not fluent 14th, ridden before 4 out, one pace and beaten from next, mistake last, 4th of 15, 17 1/2l behind Dawson City (11-10) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Unioniste (FR) 1-3fav (12-4) Tracked leader, challenged 10th, led 13th, pushed along and headed before 3 out, no impression next, eased flat, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Woodfleet (12-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f (6) gd in May.
Achille (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 10th, led before 2 out, hung left under pressure and headed run-in, straightened and led again towards finish, won at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Scotchtown (10-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Pobbles Bay (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, struggling 5 out, soon switched left, attempted to run out and crashed through wings of fence and unseated rider, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (1) gd in Feb.
