chased leaders, slow 1st, under pressure approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, slow 1st, headed 11th, weakened before 5 out, behind when pulled up before next
held up toward rear but in touch, headway before 5 out, tracked leaders next, effort 2 out, no extra closing stages
held up in touch, headway to join leaders 10th, led next, headed approaching 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on well under pressure towards finish, never reached winner
treacked leaders, weakened 11th, soon beaten
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, weakened before 2 out
always prominent, jumped well, led befor 4 out, hard driven approaching last, soon challenged, held on gamely closing stages
Musselburgh winner Benenden blotted his copybook when pulled up over this trip at Sandown last month. Vintage Vinnie led for a circuit in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham but soon weakened and was pulled up. Viva Steve was last of the eight finishers that day and tailed off. Katgary also ran at The Festival but was another to perform poorly and this trip stretches his stamina. Dreamsoftheatre may have been freshened up by a break but needs faster ground and Potters Cross races from out of the handicap, though was leading last time at Chepstow when falling. CADOUDOFF has run well twice on soft going this season and, though probably better over shorter, could be good enough today at the weights.
Katgary (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Vintage Vinnie (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Led, blundered 12th, headed before 14th, stayed 2nd until 19th, blundered next, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 4m lst (1) gs in Mar.
Cadoudoff (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on inside until lost place slightly 5th, headway chasing leaders again approaching 8th, weakened under pressure before 2 out, 8th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Ballycross (11-0) at Sandown 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Viva Steve (IRE) 66-1 (11-6) Took keen hold, chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, well beaten before 2 out, 8th of 20, dist behind Minella Rocco (11-6) at Cheltenham 4m lst (1) gs in Mar.
Dreamsoftheatre (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 10th, tailed off 12th, pulled before 3 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Benenden (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-5) Held up in last pair, not fluent 10th, mistake 12th, tailing off when pulled up before 17th, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Potters Cross 8-1 (11-12) Prominent, lost place 3rd, mistake 8th, closed 10th, led 12th, narrow lead going best when stumbled and unseated rider 5 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
