in touch, tracked leader 4th, led 7th to after next, outpaced by front pair before 2 out, soon ridden, well held between last 2, weakened and lost 3rd flat
tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge on inside 3 out, led next, ridden clear between last 2, kept on well
mistake 2nd, tracked leader to 4th, lost place next, outpaced in 4th 3 out, no chance from next
held up behind, reminder after 7th, ridden after 5 out, soon lost touch, never a threat
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
tended to jump right, led, hit and headed 7th, regained narrow lead after next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner between last 2
held up behind, mistake 2nd, pushed along from 6th, modest 5th when ridden between last 2, rallied to take 3rd flat, never nearer
A dual hurdles winner, CHARMANT made a successful start over fences at Sedgefield on last month’s return to action. He’s been raised 8lb but won easily and is preferred to another recent winner in Treshnish. The latter scored at Newcastle last week while Tayzar won over these fences before finding one too good at Sedgefield and is another to consider. Instant Replay is more exposed but posted a better effort at Doncaster recently and headgear is applied today while Katgary went close over 2m here at the start of the year and can race off the same mark.
Katgary (FR) 9-2 (11-12) Led until after 2nd, remained prominent, effort 3 out, weakened before last, last of 4, 27l behind Sakhee's City (11-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Charmant (FR) 11-8fav (11-7) Tracked leader, led after 5th, made rest, jumped right from next, clear 2 out, in no danger after, very easily, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Red Ochre (10-9) by 13l, 5 ran.
Treshnish (FR) 9-4 (11-9) Always prominent, led before 4 out, driven 2 out, all out (2 fences omitted), won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating The Dubai Way (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Oliver's Gold 22-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, never a factor, 6th of 7, 15l behind Bouvreuil (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tayzar 9-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 9th, switched left and went 2nd before last, pecked at the last, no impression on winner towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Midnight Chill (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Instant Replay (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Led, blundered badly 3 out, soon headed, kept on same pace, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Peppay Le Pugh (11-4) at Doncaster 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Rhymers Stone 40-1 (10-13) Held up in last pair, outpaced 4 out, never a threat, 7th of 9, 23 1/4l behind Reivers Lad (10-13) at Newcastle 2m (3) gs in Dec.
