tracked leaders, fell 6 out
made all, ridden before last, hard pressed run-in, held on near finish
tracked winner, not fluent 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, every chance and upsides winner run-in, held near finish
close up, fell 1st
Lake View Lad has only won one of his six starts over fences and that was over a longer trip. He was soon left behind in what was effectively a match over course and distance last time and looks too close in the weights to the progressive MARKOV. Ben Pauling’s charge is two from two over fences and won a shade cosily on both occasions. On the evidence so far, Crievehill is possibly better suited by a strongly-run race over 2m and A Vos Gardes looked beaten when falling at Newbury.
Markov (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Held up in touch, went 3rd from 7 out, led 2 out, clear before last, eased towards finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Takingrisks (11-5) by 6l, 6 ran.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked winner, led after 2nd, headed 4 out, remained with winner, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace and no impression, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Testify (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Crievehill (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Tracked leading pair, 2nd after 4th, led 12th, blundered 4 out, headed next, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 7, 21 1/4l behind Drumcliff (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
A Vos Gardes (FR) 6-1 (10-6) Chased winner, mistake 7th (water), lost 2nd after 13th, 3rd and held when fell 3 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
