tracked winner, not fluent 2nd, hit 4 out and reminder, ridden and loooked held when blundered badly 2 out, not recover
never fluent, sweating and edgy, held up in 3rd place, awkward 3rd and 5th, hit 11th, blundered badly 3 out, no chance after
mostly jumped well, made all, clear 4 out, travelling best and looked likely winner when blundered and left clear 2 out, unchallenged
NonRunner
NonRunner
Gala Ball was probably a lucky winner at Exeter and looks harshly treated on that effort - he may have done the others a favour by standing his ground here. Paul Nichols saddles both Sirabad and Warriors Tale with this trip possibly suiting the latter more than the former, who has also had a break. Cepage won over 2m here in December and was successful over further in France so is not without a chance but MAX WARD probably deserves to get his head back in front. Tough and consistent, he looked ready for a step back up in trip when runner-up to Theatre Flame over 2m here in January - the third franked the form next time.
Gala Ball (IRE) 10-11fav (10-12) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd 5th, blundered 9th, 2nd approaching 4 out where mistake, ridden before next, about 4 lengths down and looking held when left clear 2 out, won at Exeter 2m 3f (3) sft in Feb beating Bivouac (10-12) by 14l, 6 ran.
Cepage (FR) 5-1 (12-1) Held up in mid-division, outpaced when mistake 6th, headway before 3 out, went 2nd between last 2, well held when not fluent and lost 2nd last, driven in 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Speredek (11-6) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Warriors Tale 7-2 (11-5) Held up, bumped 1st, went 3rd when not fluent 12th, no impression on front pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Abracadabra Sivola (10-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Max Ward (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Held up in rear, in touch 7th, a little awkward 3 out, shaken up and not quicken, rallied flat, went 2nd but no impression on winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/4l behind Theatre Flame (10-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Sirabad (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Led and keen, headed 4 out, kept on and no chance with winner from 2 out, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Knockgraffon (11-0) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
