prominent to 4th, mid-division, outpaced 9th, soon behind, no danger after
chased leaders, outpaced 9th, soon lost place, behind from 2 out, tailed off
mid-division on inside, outpaced before 2 out, weakened and eased between last 2, tailed off
behind, headway under pressure into mid-division before 2 out, never nearer
chased leaders, ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
prominent, outpaced 2 out, soon lost place, well beaten when not fluent last
mid-division, not fluent 6th, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, eased between last 2, tailed off
mid-division on outside, lost place 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, steady headway 8th, 6th 2 out, went 2nd going well and poised to challenge before last, led soon after, ridden and held on well flat
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leading pair briefly next, kept on same pace, disputed 4th and held when fell last
in touch on inside, outpaced before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up behind, headway under pressure after 3 out, 9th next, ridden to chase leading pair before last, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, not reached winner
disputed lead, ridden 3 out, soon lost place, weakened from next
prominent to 3rd, soon towards rear, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, driven and outpaced after 3 out, 8th next, ridden and kept on between last 2, left clear 4th last, no impression with leaders
led narrowly, ridden and hard pressed before 2 out, headed between last 2, weakened last
behind, headway on outside 7th, hit next, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression
held up towards rear, smooth headway on outside after 3 out, led between last 2, soon hard pressed, headed after last, kept on under pressure, held when lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leading pair from 4th, went 2nd 3 out, challenged next, ridden and lost place before last, soon weakened
always behind, hit 6th, in rear when pulled up before 8th
mid-division in touch, mistake 3rd, lost place 7th, behind from next, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, lost place and ridden 9th, soon behind
always behind, mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division in touch, outpaced 7th, kept on same pace under pressure from 2 out, never near leaders
The roof would be raised should Buena Vista complete a hat-trick of wins in this ultra-competitive handicap. He's now in the veteran stage but is only 2lb higher than 12 months ago and Tom Bellamy can claim his full 10lb allowance. He shouldn't be ignored as this will have been his target all season. David Pipe also runs Ashkazar and Our Father but they may have too much weight, though the latter was impressive at Ascot on his reappearance, and the classy Restless Harry may also be in the handicapper's grip. Sonofvic has been chasing but the Thehillofuisneach will appreciate the return to handicapping company having never threatened in a Grade 2 novice event on heavy ground at Haydock last time. Jeremy Scott has his team in fine form and Sir Kezbaah has been brought along very quietly this season. A winner over C&D on good ground last April, he has conditions in his favour today for the first time since that success and could be worth an interest at big odds but we'll take BARWELL BRIDGE to end a long losing run. He's twice finished in the frame in qualifiers for this recently and didn't have much luck in-running when sixth in this last year off the same mark. The consistent Rick may prove the best of the Irish runners.
Restless Harry 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 6th, with leader 8th, led after 4 out, headed narrowly 2 out, kept on gamely to regain lead last 150 yards, kept on well, won at Haydock 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb beating Cross Kennon (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Ashkazar (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, dropped rear 5th, soon tailed off, last of 7, well behind Deireadh Re (9-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Our Father (IRE) 8-5fav (11-11) Raced on inside, held up towards rear, steady headway to 4th but still plenty to do 3 out, effort on outside to 2nd well before 2 out, closed before 2 out, led last, kept on well flat, won at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec beating Shoreacres (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 18 ran.
Russian War (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Restless Harry (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl G2 (1) gd in Oct, 8 ran.
Pettifour (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, ridden and lost place after 3 out, 8th of 16, 19l behind Thehillofuisneach (10-11) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan.
Rick (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, on terms from 4 out, headed and struggling from before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Mourad (11-8) at Navan 2m 5f hdl G2 (1) in Feb.
Sergent Guib's (FR) 11-2fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway into 6th 2 out, challenged on inner in straight, close 3rd last, no impression run-in, 3rd of 18, 3l behind Cootamundra (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 25-1 (11-10) Mid-division, towards rear when hampered and mistake 4th, stumbled 8th, some late headway, never on terms, 7th of 15, 30l behind Knock A Hand (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Cape Tribulation 22-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, raced wide and headway before 4 out, ridden before and hit last, kept on same pace, 4th of 19, 21l behind Grand Vision (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Sonofvic (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Held up, not fluent 6th or 7th, hit 8th and 11th, 5 lengths off winner in 5th when mistake 4 out, slipped soon after fence and bumped into rival, jockey nearly unseated, great recovery, not recover and well beaten after, 5th of 6, 40l behind Champion Court (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Pineau De Re (FR) 25-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, headway into 5th after 4 out, led before 2 out, soon strongly pressed and headed approaching last where short of room, no extra in 4th run-in, 4th of 18, 6l behind Cootamundra (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Catch Me (GER) 25-1 (11-3) Towards rear, 13th approaching 3 out, moderate 8th before last, kept on well under pressure run-in, 5th of 18, 6l behind Cootamundra (10-8) at Punchestown 3m hcp hdl hvy in Feb.
Buena Vista (IRE) 66-1 (11-3) Led until 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 15, 35l behind Knock A Hand (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Feb.
Across The Bay (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 9th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, lost place next, behind when not fluent last, 5th of 6, 27l behind Big Buck's (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m hdl G2 (1) gs in Jan.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Prominent, pushed along and weakened after 4 out, 10th of 19, 42l behind Grand Vision (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Palace Jester 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, quickly weakened 7th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Grand Vision (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb, 19 ran.
Reindeer Dippin 5-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 26l behind Restless Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Cantlow (IRE) 3-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 8th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 14, 33l behind Big Easy (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Feb.
Kayf Aramis 20-1 (11-4) Led, headed after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 7, 27l behind Restless Harry (11-12) at Haydock 3m hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Barwell Bridge 7-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, one pace inside final furlong, 6th of 16, 5l behind Secret Tune (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) std in Feb.
Thehillofuisneach (IRE) 9-2fav (11-11) Always towards rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 30l behind Brindisi Breeze (11-8) at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Prince Erik 25-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 17th of 20, 19l behind Dul Ar An Ol (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Feb.
Scotsbrook Cloud 50-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Grand Vision (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb, 19 ran.
Bellflower Boy (IRE) 9-2 (10-13) Pushed along in rear until after 1st, reminder after 6th, headway next, led approaching 3 out, well clear before next, not fluent last, easily, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan beating Godsmejudge (11-2) by 21l, 10 ran.
