with leader, ridden before last, led run-in, kept on
led, ridden before last, headed run-in, no extra
held up towards rear, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place before 2 out
held up in rear, reminders 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up
held up in touch, every chance last, no extra run-in
always towards rear, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
Both Western Rules and Road To Gold were beaten under penalties last time incurred for earlier wins at this course and Carlisle respectively. WATER SPRITE's mares allowance is cancelled out by her penalty for winning at Clonmel a fortnight ago but the Irish raider is still fancied to go close again with Richard Johnson doing the steering today. Scrutiny won on the Flat in October and makes his hurdling debut.
Road To Gold (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Led, headed before last, kept on same pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Sharpasaknife (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) hvy in Jan.
Western Rules (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to lead next, soon headed, every chance after last, no extra close home, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Waiting Patiently (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Jan.
Final Fling (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Ascot De Bruyere (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
Red Mystique (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Prominent, effort 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 20l behind Suit Yourself (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Scrutiny 10-1 (9-7) Mid-division, headway over 1f out, led last 50 yards, kept on, won at Redcar 7f hcp (5) sft in Oct beating What Could She Be (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 18 ran.
Water Sprite (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Mid-division, 7th halfway, slight mistake 5th, closer in 5th after 3 out, improved on rail to lead approaching 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Clonmel 2m mdn hvy in Feb beating Billy's Hope (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Anna Grey 200-1 (10-9) Mistake 7th, always behind, 11th of 12, dist behind Wade Harper (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb.
Invictus (GER) 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led, not fluent 2nd, headed before next, led again approaching 2 out, soon headed, 3rd and weakening when not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Jaleo (11-5) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Feb.
