tracked leader, led before last, kept on, ridden out
in rear, pushed along and headway before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, always towards rear, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened after 2 out
always towards rear
held up towards rear and keen, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on run-in
led, ridden before 2 out, headed before last, weakened last 75 yards
NonRunner
The Dubai Way won a point-to-point a year ago then a bumper in October before completing a double in novice hurdle company. He hasn't won by very far and has to make his handicap debut under a big weight. Vado Forte has been improving gradually and was impressive when landing a novices' handicap here last month, though a 10lb rise won't aid his cause. NORTHANDSOUTH might just be good enough as he battled on under Bryony Frost to land a Lingfield handicap on heavy going and a 5lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run. Spader looked promising last summer but took a heavy fall at Stratford in June and may need a confidence-booster. Not Never has found his form and looks capable of further progress so should give a good account. Catchin Time easily won this a year ago but had arrived in winning form unlike this time.
The Dubai Way (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, ridden to challenge last, led last 100 yards, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec beating Black Art (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Vado Forte (FR) 14-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway going well 3 out, challenged on bit when mistake 2 out, soon led, clear flat, easily, won at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Peppay Le Pugh (10-6) by 7l, 17 ran.
Banco De Logos (FR) 66-1 (11-11) In touch, headway 5 out, challenged 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, 10th of 12, dist behind Present Times (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Spader (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Held up, pushed along and some headway when fell 2 out, at Stratford 2m hcp (4) gf in Jun.
Sneaking Budge 15-8fav (11-11) Chased leaders, driven after 3 out, lost place 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 9, 24l behind Georgieshore (10-5) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Catchin Time (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, dist behind Georgieshore (10-5) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Northandsouth (IRE) 5-1 (10-0) Took keen hold early, tracked leading pair until 3 out, 3rd again soon after, hung left from 2 out, 2nd between last 2, 2 lengths down last, switched left run-in, stayed on to lead last 50 yards, won at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Clayton (11-12) by 1l, 5 ran.
Born Legend (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led until hung left wandered headed and stumbled 2 out, weakened rapidly, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Nayati (10-12) at Newbury 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Not Never 7-2 (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, switched right and went 2nd approaching 2 out, jumped left 2 out, upsides last, hung left and ridden to lead narrowly run-in, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Tara Bridge (12-2) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
