chased leading pair until pushed along 2 out, chased leaders, weakened before last
pulled hard, held up tracking leaders in close 5th, challenged in 3rd and hit 2 out, soon ridden, sustained challenge run-in, stayed on gamely to lead last strides
tracked leader, awkward 5th, led narrowly 2 out, joined last, kept narrow lead and stayed on under pressure until headed last strides, lost 2nd post
led until 2 out, weakened quickly, struggling in 5th when hit last
tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, upsides and every chance under pressure run-in, went 2nd post, just held
held up in last trio, not fluent 4th, pushed along and outpaced on long run before 2 out
held up in 6th place, dropped to rear and pushed along 6th, hit next, weakened 3 out
Criq Rock could go well in this as he just failed to catch Topofthegame in a maiden here in December - the winner was a little out of his depth next time in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham. BEYOND CONCEIT (NAP) is jumping hurdles late in life but looked a natural at Newbury. He stayed 2m5f on the Flat so the step up in trip is not a concern and the eight-year-old should prove hard to beat here. Acting Lass came up against a subsequent Grade 1 winner at Hereford last time while De Dollar Man can only improve on his maiden win at Ayr. Tintern Theatre is more exposed but ran well in a handicap at Uttoxeter last month and should run his race again.
Acting Lass (IRE) 10-11fav (11-4) Held up in rear on outside, headway after 7th, 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner not fluent last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Finian's Oscar (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Beyond Conceit (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led before not fluent last, soon clear, easily, won at Newbury 2m (4) sft in Jan beating Shantou Rock (10-12) by 10l, 12 ran.
De Dollar Man (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Led early, tracked leader, going well from 3 out, not fluent when challenged on bit last, shaken up to soon lead, soon drew clear, easily, won at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Trongate (11-5) by 7l, 5 ran.
Tintern Theatre (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Disputed lead, led narrowly 3 out, ridden and headed after next, 2 lengths down last, stayed on well closing stages, held near finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Le Rocher (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Topofthegame (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outside, 2nd after normal 3 out, every chance when not fluent next, one pace in 4th bypassing omitted last, 4th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Wholestone (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Ahio (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, plugged on into never dangerous 5th between last 2, 5th of 9, 29 3/4l behind Coeur de Lion (10-10) at Sandown 2m (3) hvy in Feb.
Criq Rock (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway tracking leaders 4 out, went 2nd well before 2 out, ridden and no impression before the last, rallied as winner idled badly and hung left run-in, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 8, shd behind Topofthegame (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f mdn (3) gs in Dec.
Deebaj (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair until 2nd, chased leaders in 4th, pushed along before next, ridden and weakened before 3 out, went poor 4th towards finish, 4th of 5, 14 1/4l behind Black Corton (11-6) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
