led, joined 5th, headed and ridden 3 out, weakened before last
held up in last in touch, closed up after 4 out, went 3rd home turn, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace
raced keenly tracking leader, disputed lead 5th, led 3 out, went clear after 2 out, pushed out run-in, comfortably
chased leaders, dropped to last home turn, ridden after 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd final flight, no match for winner
COUSIN OSCAR failed to complete reverting to the larger obstacles at Worcester but he’d won over hurdles at Bangor before that, with a subsequent dual winner back in third, and Donald McCain’s charge is only 3lb higher today. Iolani won over a longer trip at Kelso in September and can confirm running here in March with Diamond State, who is having his first outing since. My Macho Man has yet to win over hurdles and looks no nearer to doing so.
Cousin Oscar (IRE) 7-2 (12-3) Led, headed 5 out, quickly dropped to mid-division, ridden 4 out, no impression and pulled up after 3 out, at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Iolani (GER) 11-2 (11-8) In rear, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, prominent and ridden 2 out, every chance last, no extra final 110 yards, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Hart Of Steel (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Diamond State (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Mid-division, pushed along and some headway home turn, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden and not pace to challenge 2 out, kept on, 4th of 15, 13l behind Iolani (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) gs in Mar.
My Macho Man (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Near Kettering (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
