chased leader, went left 10th, led 3 out, 3 lengths ahead and ridden before last, stayed on flat, all out
raced wide, in touch, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner next, ridden and 3 lengths to find approaching last, edged left in behind winner flat, switched right and stayed on
led until 2nd, chased leaders, led briefly approaching 3 out, chased winner until lost 2nd 2 out, no impression when weakened to 4th before last, tailed off
in touch but never travelling, reminders after 4th, ridden after 6th, stayed on approaching 2 out, switched left after 2 out, went modest 3rd before last
non runner
Nonrunner
Blinkers could liven up Drom, a winner over 2m1f here in January, but we'll give a final chance to UPTHEMSTEPS. There's no doubt that he needs to improve his jumping but the stiff finish here will play to his strengths if he's still in touch off the final bend as he was doing his best work at the finish over a similar trip at Chepstow 10 days ago and he's another fitted with first-time headgear. Ballyoliver deserves to win a race of this nature but always seems to find at least one too good and Chapel House, winner of three of his last four, is tackling better opposition today. Ballygarvey may have too much weight and Way Back When has lost his way lately but Referent and Brixen are both in form and could go close in an open-looking contest.
Upthemsteps (IRE) 2-1fav (11-6) Chased leaders until mistake and lost place 5th, rallied to poor 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, never any chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Dinarius (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
Ballyoliver 7-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, reminders 6th, headway 10th, chased winner 4 out, kept on one pace and went clear 2nd flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Farewellatmidnight (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
Brixen (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Blundered 1st, led, headed 3rd, stayed in close 3rd, went close 2nd again approaching 3 out, ridden and no impression 2 out, lost 2nd last, weakened flat, 3rd of 5, 11l behind Gentle Bob (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Drom 7-1 (11-7) Led, hit 4th, headed 7th, hit 11th, ridden and blundered badly 5 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 29l behind Back Bob Back (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Way Back When 8-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, not fluent and outpaced 10th, jumped right 11th and next, well held 4 out, 5th of 6, 40l behind Pepite Rose (11-10) at Newbury 2m 6f Mares Novice Handicap Chase (Listed) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Ballygarvey (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 5th, behind 6th, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Volador (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Referent (FR) 13-8 (11-0) Not fluent and not travelling early stages, travelled better after 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led approaching 2 out, soon in command, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f mdn chs (5) gd beating Perfectly Willing (11-0) by 5l, 6 ran.
Chapel House 9-4fav (10-9) Made all, jumped well, clear before last, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Getaway Driver (11-8) by 7l, 5 ran.
