in rear, headway before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
led, ridden before 3 out, headed 3 out, weakened from next
chased leader, led 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leader, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
mid-division in 5th, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd after last, kept on
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after next
mid-division, headway before 7th, pushed along to chase leaders before 2 out, one pace
in rear, tailed off before 7th
mid-division, reminders after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off before 3 out
towards rear, pushed along 5th, reminders before 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra
towards rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
towards rear, mistake 7th, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, kept on well
always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out
Nonrunner
Ghost Of A Smile was well supported to gain his first victory over hurdles here last week and duly obliged though he may have been fortunate. He has a 7lb penalty but his young rider can claim most of that back. El Indio, who was beaten around 7l into third, has a chance to reverse the form on these terms as the quicker ground should enable him to last out the trip better. High Kite will be better for a recent run in a jumper's bumper, his first start for well over a year, while Expanding Universe was racing from a 19lb higher mark a year ago. RUGGED JACK looked as though this sort of trip would suit when ploughing through the Exeter mud last week and goes unpenalised so looks the one to be on. Drombeg West won a Towcester seller last month and this is tougher.
Ghost Of A Smile (IRE) 9-4fav (10-6) Took keen hold in rear, headway 3 out, every chane 2 out, led approaching last, kept on well under pressure, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Thomas Junior (11-6) by 6l, 7 ran.
El Indio (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) With leader, led approaching 4th, headed next, led again 6th, headed before 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Ghost Of A Smile (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
High Kite (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) In touch in mid-divison, ridden over 2f out, soon one pace, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 11, 10l behind Dawn Commander (11-2) at Kempton 2m 2f n h flat (4) std in Feb.
Expanding Universe (IRE) 15-2 (10-1) With leader, driven and lost place after 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 27l behind Spencer Lea (10-7) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) sft in Feb.
Hot Whiskey (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pushed along towards rear over 3f out, ridden one pace and no impression final 2f, 7th of 11, 8l behind Dawn Commander (11-2) at Kempton 2m 2f n h flat (4) std in Feb.
Rugged Jack (FR) 11-4 (11-6) Held up in touch, outpaced after 2nd, not fluent 4th, rallied 3 out, not fluent 2 out, led flat, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy beating Lady Bridget (9-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Laughton Park 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, weakened before 6th, rallied 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 10, well behind Well Mett (12-0) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in May.
Dalmo 16-1 (10-11) Held up in last trio, dropped to rear before 4 out, soon ridden and lost touch, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Loyaute (11-10) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Gilanto (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 7th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Bold Tara (9-13) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Generous Spender 100-1 (11-7) Always behind, struggling 5th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Polstar (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Ereyna 40-1 (10-9) Chased leader until after 6th, chased leaders, weakened before next, last of 6, 29l behind Molly's A Diva (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Kingsfold Flare 16-1 (11-2) In touch, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, last of 4, 34l behind Beau Lake (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Drombeg West 8-1 (10-0) In touch in mid-division, closed from 4th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Towcester 2m (5) hvy in Feb beating Slaney Star (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Zelos Diktator 25-1 (10-5) Close up, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up, in a race won by Mudita Moment (12-2) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Crushed Ice 9-1 (10-3) Led after 3rd, headed 4th, weakening when blundered 3 out, 8th of 13, well behind Total Assets (11-7) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Swing State 16-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, blundered 5 out, headway before and hit 2 out, left 3rd at last, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Epee Celeste (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
