held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 4 out, tracked leaders after next, went 2nd going well approaching 2 out, challenged 2 out, every chance when mistake last, stayed on same pace flat
chased leader, blundered 2nd, led 4 out, blundered next, joined 2 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on well flat
held up in last pair, headway to 4th before 2 out, stayed on to 3rd flat, one pace and no impression on leading duo
took keen hold, tracked leading pair until after 3rd, stayed chasing leaders, weakened 3 out. mistake last
held up in 5th, weakened after 3 out
led and soon clear until approaching 4th, headed next, lost 2nd well before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off when blundered last
chased leading trio, went 3rd after 3rd, ridden and weakened well before 2 out until approaching 2 out, well held when mistake last, no extra in 4th flat
A multiple winner on the Flat including at Kempton recently, SHALAMBAR has also won a couple of times over hurdles. Back on a winning mark with a conditional's allowance taken into account, Tony Carroll's charge gets the nod. Massena ran well for a long way on his return from a lengthy absence at Sandown and can figure while the out-of-form pair Strathcal and Troubletimestwo are not out of this if rediscovering their best. The maiden Goat Castle is preferred of the remaining runners.
Massena (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Took keen hold in mid-division in touch, pushed along on outside before 2 out, no progress, 8th of 12, 20l behind Thundering Home (10-9) at Sandown 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Feb.
Shalambar (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed after 6th, weakened 3 out, last of 5, 24l behind The Weatherman (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Jun.
Strathcal 10-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, no extra flat, 5th of 15, 14l behind Rocky Elsom (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Troubletimestwo (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, in a race won by Thundering Home (10-9) at Sandown 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Argaum (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off, 11th of 16, well behind Duaiseoir (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Everkingly 200-1 (11-5) Mid-division, weakened after 6th, tailed off before 4 out, last of 14, well behind Mr Watson (11-5) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Goat Castle (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 47l behind Coverholder (10-1) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
