held up in touch, good headway to join leader and hit 4 out, led next, hit last, headed towards finish, one pace
tracked leaders, challenged when hit last, hard ridden flat, stayed on to lead towards finish
led, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, no extra from last
in rear, hit 4th, weakened approaching 4 out, soon tailed off and pulled up
tracked leader, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
Nonrunner
Assuming his tumble last time has not destroyed his confidence, LASKARI could be hard to beat here and he is preferred to Ballybriggan and L'Eldorado. Paul Webber's gelding is an experienced old boy and he should have no issues with the switch to hurdling this afternoon. A course winner in the past, he should appreciate this good ground and he can teach these whipper-snappers a lesson. Ballybriggan bumped into two smart horses at Market Rasen last month and is considered here on ground that suits, Pearleysteps won nicely at Towcester but that was a weak race and he may struggle over this trip under a penalty, whilst L'Eldorado ran well behind Premier Sagas last time and would be dangerous if allowed a soft lead. Papa Caruso shaped with promise here last time and is no back-number, especially with his Quantitiveeasing form looking solid, whilst Melange needs to improve for this longer trip and his sole success to date was in selling grade. Lucky Angler completes the field but looks sure to hook a shopping trolley rather than a monster, so the vote is given to Laskari with little doubt.
Pearlysteps 11-10fav (11-0) Held up in touch, led after 3 out, clear when mistake 2 out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb beating It's Brown (11-3) by 16l, 8 ran.
Ballybriggan (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Ranjobaie (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
L'Eldorado (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Led, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on until headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Premier Sagas (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Laskari (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, lost place when fell 11th, in a race won by Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
Lucky Angler (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, hit 1st, pulled up before 3rd, in a race won by Shut The Bar (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f NH mdn hdl (4) gs in May, 10 ran.
Papa Caruso 20-1 (10-12) Held up, kept on from 3 out no impression, 3rd of 14, 50l behind Bobby Ewing (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Melange (USA) 66-1 (11-5) Tracked leader to 5th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression, lost 3rd post, 4th of 7, 16l behind Carlito Brigante (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
