close up, disputed lead 8th, led narrowly 4 out, pushed along and headed 3 out, ridden and held by winner before last, kept on well
mid-division, not fluent 7th, mistake and unseated rider 10th
towards rear, slightly hampered 10th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
rear mid-division, ridden after 5 out, soon tailed off
in rear, pushed and detached 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, chased front pack from 4 out, ridden after 3 out, faded from 2 out
mid-division, slow jump 3rd, not fluent at times early, chased leaders 4 out, stayed on one pace
chased leaders, pushed along after 2 out, hit 2 out and weakened
led, joined 8th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 3 out, no impression
tracked front pair, pressed leader after 4 out, led 3 out, ridden and forged clear 2 out, edged left but stayed on well run-in, always doing enough
in rear, ridden in mid-division 4 out, bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out
Quoi De Neuf beat Nickolson at Taunton in December but was only third behind Isolate at Ludlow two runs ago. The latter looks the pick of Alan King’s trio in this with Tom Cannon doing the steering. A blunder did for LE CAMELEON at Kempton in February as he tried to confirm earlier Fontwell running with Foxboro. He was more fluent in a small field at Newton Abbot just over three weeks ago and might have more to offer. Numitor has gone up 9lb for a wide-margin victory at Doncaster and will face a battle for the lead from Nocte Volatus, who has risen 42lb in the handicap since making his debut over the larger obstacles in December.
Numitor 5-4fav (11-12) Disputed lead throughout, ridden and could not go pace of leader 3 out, took it up travelling well 2 out, clear last, eased down run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Across The Line (11-3) by 20l, 5 ran.
Nocte Volatus 15-8fav (11-11) Led and mostly jumped well, over 1 length ahead when awkward last, strongly pressed run-in, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, nk behind Foxboro (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Quoi De Neuf (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Led 1st until 3rd, not fluent 6th, led 7th, jumped right next, pressed 4 out, not fluent 2 out, headed last, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Karl Philippe (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Tanarpino 13-2 (12-0) Prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, pressed approaching 2 out and soon outpaced, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind First Figaro (10-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Nickolson (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Raced keenly, soon steadied into 4th, jumped slowly and lost place 9th, behind and struggling 11th, outpaced in rear 4 out, plugged on, 4th of 6, 31 1/4l behind Foxboro (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Deyrann de Carjac (FR) 15-2 (11-11) Raced wide tracking leaders, pushed along in 3rd before 3 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with leading duo, 3rd of 6, 22 1/4l behind Foxboro (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Le Cameleon 6-5fav (11-3) Disputed lead, led 9th, shaken up 4 out, ridden and pressed before 2 out, stayed on well, always doing enough, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Magic Dancer (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 3 ran.
Isolate (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Raced keenly in 3rd, went 2nd before 5th, led 12th, clear when went left 3 out, 4 lengths ahead when hit 2 out, ridden and still 4 lengths ahead at the last, hung left run-in, all out to hold on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Chambard (11-0) by hd, 6 ran.
Mahler's Promise (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Led, hit 5th, bad mistake and nearly unseated rider 8th, remained in touch behind leaders, ridden after 2 out, ran on and took 3rd closing stages, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Golden Boy Grey (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Corran Cross (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-7) Tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, joined last, stayed on flat, headed close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Esprit De Somoza (11-6) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
The Unit (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Held up, not fluent 5th, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, untidy 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 5, 29 1/2l behind Numitor (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
