in rear, mistake 7 out, pushed along next, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, joined leader 5th, led 3 out, kept on well
behind, pushed along after 4 out, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
led, headed 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner
in touch, went 3rd before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
tracked leader early, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
MUST HAVEA FLUTTER (NAP) looks the one to beat in this as he’s taken well to fences. A winner on similar going over course and distance last month, he then only found an in-form rival too good at Huntingdon and can defy a further 4lb rise. Celtic Flames made a winning start over fences at Hexham in November and got back on track at Musselburgh recently but may struggle to win again off his new mark. Matorico may be a bigger danger as he almost certainly hasn’t fulfilled his full potential so far over fences and has his sights lowered today. Las Tunas was beaten 16 lengths by the selection here two runs ago and has gone up a pound since a subsequent 14-length defeat here by Roxyfet so is hard to fancy while Mahlerdramatic has become disappointing.
Matorico (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th or 11th when rider lost iron briefly, left pressing for 2nd 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 26 3/4l behind Geordie Des Champs (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Must Havea Flutter (IRE) 9-4 (11-9) Tracked leaders, pecked slightly 1st, went 2nd before 10th, pressing winner approaching 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Kincora Fort (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Celtic Flames (IRE) 2-1 (11-1) Held up last, pushed along briefly before 5th, 2nd after 8th, hit 4 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on to lead final 75 yards, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Middlebrow (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 4 ran.
Mahlerdramatic (IRE) 17-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, chased winner before 5 out, no extra from last, 4th of 7, 27l behind Granville Island (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Las Tunas (FR) 2-1fav (10-9) Tracked leader, led 4 out, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed next, no chance with winner, clear 2nd, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Roxyfet (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Chanceofa Lifetime (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Led until 2nd, chased leader until after 3rd, lost 3rd 3 out soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, dist behind Frankie Ballou (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
