tracked leading pair from 2nd, left 2nd after 5th, challenged going well after last, led narrowly flat, shaken up and found nil inside final furlong, headed near finish
led to 2nd, tracked leader, left in lead again after 5th, ridden after 2 out, joined after last, headed narrowly flat, rallied to regain lead near finish
raced keenly, headway to lead 2nd, lost action and pulled up after 5th
held up 4th and last, left 3rd after 5th, headway after 2 out, outpaced when pecked last, ridden and one pace flat, no impression with front pair
Nonrunner
FOLK TUNE has thrived for the switch back to hurdles, winning a seller at Hexham and a claimer at Perth since the turn of the year. He didn't run badly when sixth on the Flat at Thirsk earlier this month and should have too much for these at the weights. Dunaskin looks to be on a downward curve while Baraathen's recent improvement came to a grinding halt when tried in this grade at Worcester earlier in the month and he may find at least one too good again here. The others have something to find on these terms.
Folk Tune (IRE) 6-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 2 out, shaken up after last, ran on strongly, won at Perth 2m clm hdl (5) gf in Jul beating Fool's Wildcat (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 4 ran.
Baraathen (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 5th, soon behind, kept on under pressure from 3 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 15, 25l behind American Art (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f clm hdl (5) gd.
Quell The Storm (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Mistakes, chased leaders, mistakes 4th, 5th and next, hit 7th (water), losing place when hit 9th, blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 10th, behind and pulled up before next, in a race won by Fine Parchment (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) gd in Dec, 17 ran.
Grethel (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Held up, hampered, no chance and fell 2nd, in a race won by The Tiddly Tadpole (11-0) at Cartmel 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gf in Jul, 7 ran.
Dunaskin (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Led, headed when jumped slowly 5th, soon ridden, well held from 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Denton Ryal (10-11) at Southwell 2m sell hdl (5) gd.
Yossi (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, clear 1st until 3rd, headed before next, stayed 2nd until ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, 35l behind Orang Outan (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
