held up off the pace in 5th, closer in 3rd travelling well soon after 4 out, 2nd 2 out, challenged and hit last, stayed on same pace run-in
jumped left on occasions, tracked leader, led briefly 7th, went left and lost 2nd 4 out, soon given reminder, weakened into 5th and pulled up before next
soon off the pace in 4th, closer 6th until jumped slowly next, weakened 4 out, went poor 3rd close home
led until pushed along and headed approaching 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd next, weakened into 4th close home
tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well 4 out, led approaching next, hit 2 out, driven clear run-in
well in rear, tailed off and pulled up before 8th
Larch Hill, a winner over hurdles in January, should make a chaser so any market support would need to be taken seriously but the fact that Vendor is still running in novice handicaps at the age of 11 should set alarms off. Lucky Robin dropped away tamely on his chasing bow at Sedgefield while Embole is another yet to convince over the larger obstacles. Reverting to a shorter trip should suit WISHFULL DREAMING and the top weight can bounce back from a lackluster effort last time at Musselburgh having proved very consistent previously for Sam England.
Wishfull Dreaming 7-4fav (11-9) Held up, headway 5th, hit 7th, not fluent next, mistake 11th and 12th, hampered 4 out, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Sporting Press (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Embole (FR) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Thistimenextyear (11-3) at Fakenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Vendor (FR) 7-2 (10-12) Led, driven 4 out, headed before next, rallied after last, stayed on, 3rd of 4, 8 1/4l behind The Last Day (10-12) at Carlisle 2m (3) hvy in Mar.
Lucky Robin (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, lost place 11th, outpaced 4 out, no chance in modest 4th before 2 out, 4th of 5, 21 1/4l behind Cap Du Nord (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Larch Hill (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Kept wide, held up in touch, challenged after 3rd, every chance 2 out, 6th and beaten when mistake last, weakened flat, 7th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Dorking Cock (11-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Quizzacle Nomad 200-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Umbrigado (10-12) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
