led until before 6th, chased leader until 11th (water) hung left before 12th, mistake and weakened 3 out
jumped left, chased leader, hit 3rd, led before 6th, jumped slowly and headed 4 out, chased leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders until outpaced 13th, never on terms after
chased leaders, lost place 7th, fell next
held up in last trio, closer at 10th, pushed along and one pace in 3rd before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 11th (water) led 4 out until next, chased winner, ridden and one pace before next
held up in rear, headway chasing leaders 10th, led 3 out, ridden clear from last, stayed on well
held up in last trio, jumped slowly and dropped to rear 10th, struggling and no chance after, tailed off
Granitic was having just his second start over fences when runner-up at Wincanton and normal progress should see him involved. Hurricane Vic has never won under Rules and is best on quicker ground but BALLYART has shown his best form on testing going. Further rain would aid his cause but he's been running in slightly better company and can finally lose his maiden tag. Sandford Castle had been in poor form until a better run at Sedgefield where he led for a long way over a slightly longer trip but Timcoda is better over further.
Ballyart (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Led, ridden before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Go Steady (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Timcoda (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Held up and behind, headway after 5th, every chance 4 out, soon ridden, 5th and weakening when fell 2 out, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Arquebusier (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Mostly chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, mistake 9th, jumped slowly and lost place next, tailed off when mistake 11th, kept plugging on, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Chain Smoker (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Granitic (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, kept on into 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Blue Monday (10-6) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Sandford Castle (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Chased leader, led before 3rd, hit next, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd between last 2, plugged on in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Miss Zip (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Hurricane Vic 11-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, unable to challenge winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Tikkinthebox (12-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gf in Sep.
Torrent Des Mottes (FR) 10-1 (10-4) Hampered 1st, held up, closed 4th, outpaced and no impression on leaders before omitted last, 5th of 9, 16 3/4l behind This Breac (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Kahdian (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, closer in mid-division before bypassing 4 out, ridden and no impression between last 2, 7th of 15, 11 1/2l behind Lily The Pink (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
