in rear but in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, went 2nd before last, led run-in, kept on strongly
tracked leaders in 4th, in rear from 5th, weakened from 2 out
led, headed before 2nd, tracked leader, led again before 6th, ridden and headed run-in, kept on, no chance with winner
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 7th, soon pushed along and lost place, outpaced from 3 out, kept on run-in to take 3rd towards finish
with leader, led before 2nd, headed before 6th, blundered 4 out, ridden before last, weakened and lost 3rd place towards finish
Nonrunner
Keith Reveley's runners often need an outing to blow away the cobwebs so Pegasus Prince, successful over hurdles at Uttoxeter and Market Rasen last winter, may be best watched today. Lightening Rod also returns from an absence, as does CHESTER LAD, but Donald McCain's six-year-old has shown a liking for this stiff track in the past and is expect to improve for the switch to fences. He gets the vote, though the four-year-old Pena Dorada will be a danger with his weight-for-age allowance having already finished second here and at Uttoxeter. Signalman will have needed last month's run at Carlisle and could also play a part.
Lightening Rod 7-2fav (10-8) Held up in rear, pushed along before 7th, blundered next, weakened 5 out, 4th of 6, 32l behind Kosta Brava (10-6) at Ayr 2m Novice Limited Handicap Chase (0-130) (5yo+) (3) gd in Apr.
Pegasus Prince (USA) 7-2 (11-12) In rear, headway on long run to 2 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression from last, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Stagecoach Opal (10-3) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Signalman 15-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 11th until before 3 out, no impression, last of 6, 42l behind Notus De La Tour (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (4) gs in Oct.
Rich Lord 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 6th, 9th of 12, 48l behind Storm Surge (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Pena Dorada (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, went 2nd 8th, challenged 3 out, ran on flat, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Ultravox (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Chester Lad 14-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, not fluent 2nd or when losing 2nd next, hit 6th, last 3 out, soon well held, 4th of 5, 43l behind Ascendant (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Apr.