tracked leaders on inside, not much room before 3 out, 2 lengths 2nd when fell 2 out
made virtually all, ridden when not fluent 3 out, soon edged left, clear last, stayed on
towards rear, slow 10th, pushed along 14th, struggling 18th, pulled up before 3 out
chased winner, every chance 3 out, 4th and looked to fading when hampered by faller and unseated rider 2 out
held up, headway 11th, ridden 17th, led briefly 3 out, no impression on winner last
chased leaders on outside, ridden 16th, struggling after 18th, well beaten after 4 out, left remote 4th 2 out
in rear, not fluent 16th, modest effort 4 out, weakened before 3 out, left 3rd 2 out
Black Narcissus is back in form and won over a similar trip at Sedgefield last month. A 7lb higher mark is not insurmountable and Alex Dunn’s mare looks a threat to all. Guerrilla Tactics won here and at Warwick in the autumn but has been off since October and today’s conditions have to be a concern. Shanann Star is a previous course winner but will need to bounce back from a poor run at Warwick and Saroque hasn’t fired this season, though is now blinkered. WITHOUTDEFAVOURITE is 0-20 under Rules but has been dropped a further 3lb since last month’s third over these fences and should strip fitter today.
Guerrilla Tactics (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, hit 16th, led 4 out, ridden clear before next, kept on strongly, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Cucklington (11-4) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Saroque (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Lined up to make it but missed break and started off last, not fluent 5th, behind 7th, pulled up after 10th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Black Narcissus (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) In rear, went 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd before last, led last, held on well towards finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Kings Eclipse (11-8) by 3l, 5 ran.
Finish The Story (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not much room 2nd, went 2nd 10th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and weakening when blundered badly 2 out, lost 2 places flat, 5th of 8, 29 1/2l behind Dontminddboys (11-12) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Shanann Star (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, reminders 15th, under pressure next, weakened 5 out, modest 4th, 4th of 6, dist behind Alberto's Dream (12-1) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Withoutdefavourite (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, jumped left 4th, lost 2nd 6th, not fluent 16th, 2nd again 4 out, hit 3 out, 3rd and beaten from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 10 3/4l behind Cucklington (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
What Larks (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) In rear, mistake 3rd, reminder after 6th, behind from 12th, pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 3m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
