led until blundered badly, stumbled 1st, not recover, soon pulled up
held up on outside, outpaced 12th, rallied 14th, weakened from next
left in lead 1st, made most to 14th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, outpaced when hit 13th, weakened from next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 14th, drew clear from 3 out, stayed on well
in touch, outpaced 16th, soon struggling, no danger
DICKIE LEWIS is nominated here ahead of top-weight Lucky Nellerie. Donald McCain's gelding was second behind Phardessa last time out at Uttoxeter. That was a good effort as he returned from a break, and with the ground holding no fears (won on heavy at Newcastle in April) a big run is expected. Lucky Nellerie ran over a marathon trip last time at Doncaster and is expected to fare better today over a slightly shorter trip. He handles soft ground and has now been dropped to a mark of 109 which looks pretty fair. Matmata De Tendron has proven stamina for this trip but was a tad disappointing last time out, so a bigger danger may be course winner Skenfirth. He races from one pound out of the handicap but he has a good win off a mark of 82 from last year at Kelso in similar ground and is not to be underestimated. Dickie Lewis is given the tentative vote.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 10-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 7th, weakened after 4 out, 11th of 19, well behind Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Another Rum (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Close up, led 12th, not fluent and headed 15th, weakened next, 5th of 7, well behind Fair Question (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb.
Dickie Lewis 11-2 (10-10) In touch, challenging 11th, ridden 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Phardessa (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Matmata de Tendron (FR) 10-1 (9-12) Prominent, reminders 11th, driven and weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 43l behind Overlady (9-12) at Carlisle 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Skenfrith 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place after 8th, 6th of 10, 32l behind Panama At Once (10-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Jacksonville (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, reminders 6th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mitchel Henry (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
