chased leader, not fluent 10th, hit 2 out when challenging, soon ridden, led just after last, edged left, stayed on, won going away
chased leaders, not fluent 4th or 12th, pushed along to close 3 out, kept on but never going pace to get on terms
mostly jumped well, led, ridden after 3 out, pressed next, headed just after last, held flat, no extra towards finish
CORNERSTONE LAD is rated 9lb higher than Mackenberg and receives 4lb here. Micky Hammond’s 2019 Fighting Fifth winner is nowhere near as good over fences but his recent Wetherby victory would be good enough for this. He was beaten eleven lengths by Donald McCain’s charge at Carlisle but is a massive 18lb better off which should enable him to reverse the form. Nero Rock has never won over fences but has done well in two starts since arriving from Ireland and is by no means out of this despite having a bit to do on official ratings with the selection.
Mackenberg (GER) 13-8 (10-4) Tracked leader, headway to join leader 2 out, soon led, ridden and ran on, won at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Cornerstone Lad (11-8) by 11l, 3 ran.
Cornerstone Lad 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 2nd run in, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Mackenberg (10-4) at Carlisle 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Nero Rock (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Prominent, led approaching 5th, joined 4 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Cedar Hill (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
