led until approaching 3 out, led again before next, ridden well clear last, readily
chased leaders, effort 2 out, soon no impression
tracked leader, driven to lead after 4 out, headed before 2 out, no extra approaching last
took keen hold in rear, headway 4 out, mistake next, soon under pressure, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon no impression
held up, never dangerous, tailed off
Withdrawn
None of these have looked like winning recently though a couple drop down in class today. That includes Gregarious, who is back on a winning mark if rediscovering his best, but PISTOL scored off today’s mark over course and distance at this time last year and he gets a tentative vote. Lough Kent has slid down the weights since last successful over hurdles in 2017 while Hartside was placed over these obstacles last year and should be sharper for a recent comeback.
Gregarious (IRE) 11-4jfav (11-1) Prominent, led after 2nd, headed 4 out, under pressure after next, weakened approaching last, 7th of 9, 16 1/4l behind The Gipper (10-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Lough Kent 28-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, good headway into 3rd approaching 4th until outpaced 3 out, rallied into 3rd again approaching 2 out until hit 2 out, soon no extra in 4th, 4th of 7, 11l behind Flowery (11-3) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Pistol (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, slightly hampered 4 out then outpaced, 7th and plenty to do last, rallied well run-in, almost snatched 3rd, 4th of 9, 11 1/4l behind Strong Resemblance (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
War At Sea (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Held up, well beaten final 2f, 8th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Fashaak (9-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f stks (5) pol in Sep.
Hartside (GER) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent early, soon towards rear, never a factor, 14th of 17, dist behind First Of Never (10-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Starplex 66-1 (11-12) Held up, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up after next, at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Bell Ofthe Bongate (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Keen in mid-division, headway 3 out, soon no impression, 8th of 15, dist behind Rouge Vif (11-11) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Jan.
