prominent, ridden after 3 out, no extra next
led, ridden approaching last, headed flat, no extra close home
tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, ridden 3 out, every chance next, stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, behind after 7th, some late headway, never dangerous
held up in touch, closed 3 out, led flat, soon headed, kept on under pressure to lead again close home
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, one pace last
mid-division, not fluent and reminder 6th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off
took keen hold early, held up in rear, headway 3 out, every chance before last where mistake and short of room, weakened flat
held up towards rear, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, not much room on bend before 3 out and ridden, closed last, led flat, edged right, headed close home
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, close up when mistake 2 out, no extra last, weakened flat
held up, not fluent 3rd, jumped slowly next, behind 7th, some late headway, never dangerous
SEVEN WOODS was tackling four previous winners when third on his debut under Rules over C&D three weeks ago. He never really looked like winning but stayed on strongly up the home straight and will know more today. Nicky Henderson's ex-pointer gets the vote as Curtain Razer was a big disappointment at Chepstow in December following a promising debut at Exeter and there's still a bit of a cloud hanging over the Nicholls yard. Royal Commission has claims on his second to Poole Master at Lingfield in January, however, as he was taking on decent opposition here last time, though this is his first try at a longer trip. Fighting Flynn, Sandown second Keep Kicking and Quousko De L'Isop look the pick of the remainder as Goulanes may need his first run under Rules.
Baroque Man 66-1 (11-0) Tracked clear leader, closed 5th, led approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, chased leader, every chance 2 out, soon dropped to 3rd, no impression on leading duo when weakened to 4th last, 4th of 13, 19l behind Hadrian's Approach (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Curtain Razer (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Mid-divisioin, headway 5 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 41l behind Knock A Hand (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Fighting Flynn (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In rear, weakened before 4 out, soon tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Brindisi Breeze (11-8) at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Friendship Bay 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, narrow lead after 2nd until 4th, chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 17, 26l behind Netherby (10-11) at Lingfield 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Goulanes (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Mid div, prog from 7th, 4th at 9th, 2nd 4out, ld 2out, sow, won at Ballinaboola 3m ire ptp sft in Nov beating Art Lord (12-0) by 2l, 14 ran.
Greenlaw 6-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, good headway on outside approaching 5th, chased leaders, left chasing winner and hit 4 out, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, no impression when mistake 2 out, lost 2nd before last, weakened flat, 5th of 8, 26l behind Oscar Davy (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Padre Eterno 25-1 (11-2) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Persian Snow (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Quousko de L'Isop (FR) 25-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd when not fluent last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Handy Andy (11-9) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs.
Royal Commission (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not fluent 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 9, 42l behind Montbazon (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Seven Woods (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) In touch, hit 4 out, ridden before next, stayed on to well held 3rd 2 out, went left last, plugged on flat, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Poole Master (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.
Wheres The Hare (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened 6th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Harry Topper (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Wild Rhubarb 14-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, hampered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Moonlight Drive (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gs in Feb '11, 17 ran.
Keep Kicking (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Led, jumped slowly and headed 3rd, led again before 2 out, soon headed, no impression last, just held on for 2nd, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Claret Cloak (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Feb.
