pressed leader, led 6th, headed before next, led again 9th, driven clear flat, stayed on well
led until 6th, led before 7th, headed and pecked 9th, ridden after 4 out, challenged 3 out, no impression on winner flat, no extra close home
chased leaders, not fluent 10th, not fluent last, 3rd and held flat, stayed on same pace
held up, slow 1st, outpaced 11th, hanging left before 4 out, soon well beaten
held up, not fluent 10th, 4th before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
held up in rear, hit 4th, headway 8th, pecked next, weakened 3 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
A hugely-competitive opener in which all appear to have a chance of sorts. Schiehallion Munro has taken well to fences but has to contend with top weight. Caribean Boy can only improve on his UK debut at Doncaster but it will be surprise if he turns that form around with easy winner THE BIG BITE. The latter will need to brush up his jumping in this stronger heat but he still has time on his side and has won around here on heavy ground over hurdles. Glinger Flame and Neachells Bridge were both winners on heavy going last time and Musical Slave emerged from the gloom to score at Exeter but that form is not working out. Rough Night won over this trip over hurdles but was well beaten off this mark over 2m last month at Warwick.
Caribean Boy (FR) 10-3fav (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, went 3rd and one pace before 2 out, 3rd of 8, 9 1/2l behind The Big Bite (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
The Big Bite (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Pressed leader, led 6th until mistake and narrowly headed 9th, in front again 10th, clear when hit 2 out, soon ridden, mistake last, kept on well, won at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan beating Senior Citizen (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Musical Slave (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in 4th place, closer and challenging in 2nd approaching 4 out, in front run-in, eased towards finish ( limited comments due to very poor visibility, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Darling Maltaix (10-13) by 2l, 5 ran.
Glinger Flame (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Jumped right and slow, chased leaders, lost place 4th, headway 8th, challenging when left in lead 4 out, ridden out, won at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Isle Of Destiny (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Neachells Bridge (IRE) 7-2 (12-2) Held up behind, headway after 5 out, tracked leaders when not fluent 3 out, upsides next, led narrowly between last 2, ridden out flat, held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Pembroke House (10-0) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Rough Night (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Led, hit 7th, ridden before 2 out, mistake and headed last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Joke Dancer (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Schiehallion Munro 3-1fav (11-4) Jumped boldly, tracked leader, led 5th, made rest, clear before 3 out, very easily, won at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Return Ticket (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Murphy's Law (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, stayed on into 4th, never on terms, 4th of 14, 22 1/4l behind Nuts Well (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
