led, headed 3rd, ridden and outpaced 5 out, rallied until weakened 3 out
in touch, went 2nd 4th, ridden 4 out, ridden and every chance when pecked 2 out, faded
held up, headway approaching 7th, mistake next, weakened 9th
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden when mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace
held up, hit 8th, weakening 5 out, pulled up before 4 out and dismounted
mid-division, headway approaching 5 out, soon ridden and outpaced, rallied again 3 out, took 2nd flat
tracked leaders, reminders after 1st and lost place 3rd, ridden 7th, outpaced 9th, stayed on from 4 out, led 2 out, all out
Despite a rise in his rating THE SAWYER can take advantage of this step down in class and complete a hat-trick while Notabotheronme and Pretty Star are put in the dangers category. The Sawyer gets the verdict after an impressive display at Cheltenham last month. Also in his favour is his proven stamina and aptitude for this ground so all signs point to a return to the winner's enclosure. Notabotheronme was a course and distance winner in almost identical conditions three starts ago. The form from that contest and his penultimate start rates as strong so despite the step up in class here he has more than a decent chance. Pretty Star is yet to experience bottomless ground but is more than useful on soft going. A career high mark defeated the gelding five days ago at Kempton but now at a much more competitive rating and in slightly lesser company he should be prominent. Alan Kings Stolen Moments is the other to consider with obvious talent and proven stamina but this time may find The Sawyer too good as should they all.
The Sawyer (BEL) 9-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 4th until 10th, led next, ridden after 3 out, stayed on gamely from next, ridden out, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) hvy in Jan beating Akilak (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Led, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Double Dizzy (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Leading Authority (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch when fell at the 7th in race won by Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Pretty Star (GER) 6-4fav (10-12) In touch, headway under pressure after 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, stayed on into 2nd and looking dangerous when blundered last, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Strawberry (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3).
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 11-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off from 5 out, 13th of 19, well behind Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 13-8fav (11-8) Held up towards rear, hit 12th, ridden after 3 out, staying on under pressure when not much room 2 out, went 3rd last, never nearer, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Natoumba (11-3) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Held up, blundered 1st, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Jass (10-9) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
