chased leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 7th (normal 4 out), rallied on extended run-in, went 2nd bypassing omitted last, no chance with winner
chased leaders out wide, ridden and weakened before omitted 2 out
held up in last pair, dropped to rear 3rd, awkward 7th (normal 4 out), plugged on in modest 4th omitted last
led until before 4th, lost 2nd before 8th (normal 3 out), weakened turning in
tracked leader after 2nd, led before 4th, ridden and headed bypassing omitted 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd bypassing last, no extra in 3rd
bit keen, waited with in last pair, closer at 3rd, went 2nd before 8th (normal 3 out), led on bit bypassing omitted 2 out, stayed on well (both fences in home straight omitted due to low sun, 8 fences on circuit jumped)
NonRunner
Dino Velvet keeps knocking on the door but gets little respite from the handicapper as a consequence. Sandy Thomson sent out last year’s winner and Seemorelights looked as good as ever when second at Ayr last month. GOLD DES BOIS ran a cracker behind Nuts Well here on his first run for Iain Jardine back in October and ran right up to that form when fourth last time at Doncaster so a further 2lb drop in the ratings is a bonus. Heartbreak Kid has improved out of all recognition since last of four behind Dubai Days at Ayr in December while Hardy Du Seuil was second in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time and will appreciate a return to handicap company.
Hardy Du Seuil (FR) 7-1 (10-8) In rear, not fluent 8th, headway to go 3rd 4 out, ridden to go 2nd 2 out but could not go pace of leader, kept on same pace from last, 2nd of 6, 9 1/2l behind Minella Drama (11-0) at Haydock 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Heartbreak Kid (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Prominent, ridden to dispute lead 3 out, took it up approaching last, went clear run-in, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Le Ligerien (11-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Dino Velvet (FR) 5-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden before 2 out, 3 lengths down last, stayed on strongly run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 4, shd behind Barton Knoll (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Gold Des Bois (FR) 14-1 (10-2) Led, headed narrowly 6th, close up when ridden after 4 out, gradually weakened from 2 out, 4th of 7, 3l behind Funambule Sivola (11-12) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Seemorelights (IRE) 5-1 (12-1) 1 disputed lead, headed and remained close up 4th, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and pressed leader after 3 out, every chance approaching last, kept on, no extra run-in, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Ardera Cross (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Dubai Days (IRE) 3-1 (11-11) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, badly hampered and unseated rider 3rd, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Glentruan (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Keen behind leaders, chased leader 4 out, close up 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 8, 12 1/2l behind Haafapiece (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
