chased leading pair, 2nd at 6th until before 4 out, chased leading pair, kept on pressing for 2nd, no chance with winner
raced keenly, hit 1st, chased leader, led 4th, headed 4 out, chased (clear) winner until weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leaders, left in close 3rd 8th, 2nd before 4 out, led 4 out, clear next, easily
chased leaders until fell 3rd
slight lead until 4th, chased leader until 6th, chased leading pair, fell 8th
often jumped left, soon behind, headway 8th, blundered next, pushed along and outpaced before 4 out, rallied and went 3rd 3 out, well held 2nd next, steadied into last, just held on for that placing
always behind, ridden and beaten before 4 out, went poor 4th run-in
This looks a little easier than the races that Dark Invader has been contesting lately but he has to give 9lb, less Conor Ring’s claim, to QUANTUM OF SOLACE. The latter deserves a change of luck having found only one too good in his last three runs over fences, though is still creeping up the weights. By Rail was easily brushed aside at Leicester last time but is only five and this is more his level. Truckers Tangle was 0-8 over hurdles but has placed between the flags so can’t be ignored.
Dark Invader (FR) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, headway chasing leaders 7th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Doc Carver (11-3) at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
By Rail 4-1 (10-11) Chased leader until not fluent 4th, 2nd from 7th, led next, headed 4 out, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, last of 3, 32l behind Le Precieux (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Dec.
Quantum Of Solace 5-4fav (11-6) Held up off the pace in 6th, closer approaching 8th, tracked leaders next, 2nd before 3 out, challenged next, went left last, ridden to lead briefly and hung left run-in, soon no extra, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Parlour Maid (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Chorus Of Lies 80-1 (8-7) Slowly into stride, soon prominent, weakened over 2f out, 7th of 11, 27 1/4l behind Your Band (9-3) at Chelmsford City 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Why Lie (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened after next, behind next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Truckers Tangle (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 5th of 15, 13l behind Texan Nomad (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Dont Be Robin (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 16, 33 1/2l behind Silver Quay (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
