led, ridden and pressed before last, headed soon after, rallied to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely
tracked leaders in 3rd, a close 3rd when hampered and fell last
held up in touch and towards rear, headway 5 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to challenge last, soon led, kept on and headed run-in, held near finish
held up in touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last
in rear, headway before and mistake 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, kept on run-in
tracked winner, reminder before 11th, ridden before last, weakened run-in
held up towards rear, ridden before 4 out, soon outpaced, kept on from last
The Last Samuri is possibly unlucky not be defending an unbeaten record over fences and he beat more experienced rivals last time at Kelso. Donald McCain's seven-year-old is still improving and has more stamina than Puffin Billy, who has yet to win over further than 2m7f. Final Assault finished ahead of Oscar Fortune at Kelso last time but that was over shorter and he's a couple of pounds out of the handicap here - Straidnahanna and Wolf Shield are also racing from out of the handicap. RUNSWICK ROYAL was behind Oscar Fortune over 2m5f at Haydock in February but left that form well behind when stepped up in trip next time at Kelso. There looked to be plenty more in the locker that day and Ann Hamilton's charge can score again as he's only 2lb higher.
Puffin Billy (IRE) 5-4 (11-8) Led, set steady pace until quickened after 11th, challenged when hit 2 out, headed before last, rallied closing stages, stayed on gamely to lead again last stride, won at Ascot 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Mar beating Thomas Crapper (10-12) by shd, 4 ran.
Runswick Royal (IRE) 9-4fav (10-12) In touch, went 2nd from 3 out, led last, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Kelso 2m 7f lst chs (1) gs in Feb beating Upsilon Bleu (11-2) by 2l, 6 ran.
The Last Samuri (IRE) 9-2fav (10-8) Mid-division, chased leaders 12th, went 3rd 5 out, challenged after 3 out, led next, 2 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on flat, won at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs (2) gs in Mar beating Harry The Viking (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Oscar Fortune (IRE) 3-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, challenged 9th, ridden before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 5, 23l behind Oscar Rock (11-12) at Kelso 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Mar.
Final Assault (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, chased leading trio before 4 out, effort on outside 2 out, soon ridden to chase leading pair, went 2nd at last, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Oscar Rock (11-12) at Kelso 2m 5f nov chs (2) gs in Mar.
Straidnahanna (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Led, not fluent 8th, headed 12th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Barafundle (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Mar, 10 ran.
Wolf Shield (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 5 out, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Carole's Destrier (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov chs (4) gd in Mar.
