disputed lead, headed and tracked leader after 3rd, not fluent 4 out, disputed lead 3 out, ridden after 2 out, not fluent last and headed, kept on but held run-in
disputed lead, led after 3rd, not fluent 3 out and joined, shaken up and led narrowly last where not fluent, ridden and asserted run-in
towards rear, in touch, pushed along before 3 out, dropped away 2 out
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, no extra from 2 out
in rear, awkward 2nd, pushed along after 6th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along home turn, no impression after 3 out, plugged on same pace
A slide down the weights and a change of headgear witnessed KEPAGGE return to form at Ffos Las. A 5lb rise doesn’t look too much of an imposition off his current mark and he can go in again. Pedley Wood went close at Hereford but faces much tougher opposition today while Pilsdon Pen has twice returned a losing favourite since winning over a shorter trip here in November. Issam was no match for the winner when runner-up over these hurdles though is still preferred to Sponthus and Saintemilion.
Kepagge (IRE) 17-2 (12-2) Prominent, led and went clear approaching 2 out, reduced advantage but kept on from last, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Walkinthewoods (10-9) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Issam (FR) 13-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out and pushed along, ridden and kept on but well held before last, 2nd of 6, 12l behind Red Dirt Road (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Sponthus (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led after 5th, headed before next, mistake 7th, lost place after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 13, 36 1/2l behind Supreme Gift (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Pilsdon Pen 11-4fav (11-10) Chased leaders, led before 7th, headed 3 out, led before 2 out, headed approaching last, soon 3rd and no extra, 3rd of 8, 11 3/4l behind Cedar Row (12-1) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Saintemilion (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 5th, lost place after 4 out, 6th of 9, 22l behind Kauto The King (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Pedley Wood (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) In touch, went prominent 7th, pushed along in 3rd home turn, 4 lengths down when left in narrow 2nd last, ridden and kept on run-in, just held, 2nd of 7, shd behind Mole Court (11-8) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
