in touch, outpaced 6th, slightly hampered 3 out and left poor 3rd
led 2nd, clear from 7th, in command when fell 3 out
behind from 3rd, pulled up before 3 out
led 1st, mistake and headed 2nd, ridden when left 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, kept on
held up and keen, headway 7th, left in lead 3 out, headed 2 out, chased winner from next but held
tailed off from 4th
in touch, weakening when hampered and unseated rider 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out
The Leader edges a narrow verdict over the penalised Laurier d'Estruval and Barton Nic, who should run his race but now looks in the grip of the handicapper after a profitable spell earlier this term. Indeed he was pulled up the last time he came into opposition with the selection and, although he has a theoretical chance of bouncing back, he now has a little to prove. Laurier d'Estruval ended a frustrating drought for trainer Simon Sherwood at Leicester last week - making the most of a good opportunity in a weak race. He has more on his plate today but is entitled to stake his claim whilst he is in such obvious good heart. Nevertheless, The Leader is also in fine fettle at present and, as he has won off a similar mark in the past, he looks the percentage call today.
Runner Bean 10-11fav Held up, headway 7th, blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Polish Pilot at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Rudetski 11-1 Chased leaders, led approaching 6th, clear from 2 out, won at Doncaster 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jan '04 beating Another Joker by 12l, 11 ran.
Barton Nic 100-1 Held up towards rear, lost touch 3rd, ridden 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, well behind Inglis Drever at Wincanton 2m hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Feb.
Laurier d'Estruval (FR) 5-2fav Led to 3rd, led again after 5th to 8th, led again approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m chs (F) sft beating Polished by 8l, 6 ran.
The Leader 8-1 Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, one pace flat, 4th of 7, 13l behind Ghadames at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (D) sft in Feb.
Mr Tenpercent 40-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pewter Light at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Feb, 13 ran.
Terrible Tenant 33-1 In touch, ridden and beaten before 3 out, tailed off when blundered last, 5th of 12, 20l behind I Hear Thunder at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (E) gs in Feb.
Hisar (IRE) 66-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next, behind when fell at the last in race won by Jericho III at Leicester 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
