led to 5th, tracked leaders, reminders and weakened 11th
tracked leaders in 3rd, with leader 9th, led out, headed narrowly before last, soon left in lead and clear, driven out
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly before and blundered last, unseated rider
held up in rear, pushed along 5 out, soon outpaced, plugged on from 4 out, left 3rd from last, never dangerous
tracked leader, led 5th, headed 5 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, every chance and challenged 3 out, weakened next, left poor 2nd from last
Nonrunner
Radjhani Express has been raised 10lb since scoring at Cheltenham but runner-up Ackertac franked the form earlier this week so the form looks solid. Changing Times was third to Benefficient in a Grade 2 at The Festival, when Desert Cry was pulled up, and was also placed behind Captain Conan in a Grade 1 at Aintree but he has quite a bit to find with TAP NIGHT on that run. Lucinda Russell's six-year-old stayed on strongly into second in that latter race and can go one better here as Rebel Rebellion was scheduled to contest a novices' handicap here yesterday. Drumshambo and Aibrean may struggle in this grade.
Drumshambo (USA) 20-1 (10-13) Mid-division on outside, in touch 5th, outpaced 2 out (usual 3 out), kept on same pace, no impression, 4th of 23, 19l behind Alderwood (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Rajdhani Express 16-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, closed before 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, all out, won at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) sft in Mar beating Ackertac (11-9) by nk, 20 ran.
Changing Times (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up behind, blundered 12th, effort before 2 out, went 3rd before last, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Captain Conan (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd.
Desert Cry (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, struggling 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Benefficient (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Mar, 13 ran.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 6-1fav (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway 8th, shaken up and lost place when mistake 4 out, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Oiseau de Nuit (11-8) at Aintree 2m hcp chs G3 (1) gd, 17 ran.
Tap Night (USA) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Captain Conan (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs G1 (1) gd.
Aibrean (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) In rear, went 4th from 7th, went 3rd from 4 out, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, always held by winner, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Upsilon Bleu (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Mar.
