towards rear of midfield, ridden 3f out, headway over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
led, restrained to be prominent behind clear leader with a circuit to run,
midfield, ridden over 2f out, some headway over 1f out, one pace final furlong
held up towards rear, switched right and ridden 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, ran on
held up in touch in chasing group, driven over 3f out, weakened over 2f out
held up in touch in chasing group, led chasing group under pressure 3f out, drifted right under pressure 2f out, faded final furlong
led chasing group, ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out
prominent, soon led, pulled half a furlong clear halfway, still well clear when ridden over 2f out, canter
keen in midfield, ridden over 3f out, headway over 2f out, drifted right and weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, still well back when ridden over 2f out, ran on strongly from over 1f out
held up towards rear, ridden over 3f out, plugged on past beaten horses from over 1f out
NonRunner
Set In Stone has had enthusiasm rekindled and she is seeking a hat-trick in bumpers here. However, Rebecca Menzies’ mare will be carrying a double penalty and she will need to improve again to beat some of these if they run up to their NH ratings. Hunting Percival has won a bumper and a hurdle and should be thereabouts if handling the surface but ROMEO BROWN has already proved himself in that respect, finishing second to a useful sort here just under two weeks ago. Phil Kirby’s charge can go one better today. Swaffham Bulbeck has won on the Flat and over timber but hasn’t taken to the all-weather in the past so The Steward, who doesn’t lack versatility, looks the pick of the remainder.
Set In Stone (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway travelling strongly on far side over 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drifted towards near rail final furlong, ran on strongly, won at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan beating Dora De Janeiro (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Book Of Invasions (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Always rear-division, never involved, tailed off when hit 12th, pulled up soon after, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Hunting Percival 16-5fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on from 2 out, went 4th towards finish, 4th of 17, 16l behind Espalion (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Romeo Brown 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway on far side 3f out, switched to centre of track and ridden to chase leader over 2f out, stayed on strongly final furlong, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Burbank (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Spin The Coin (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon ridden, faded 2 out, 8th of 10, 25 3/4l behind Crack Du Ninian (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Swaffham Bulbeck (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Midfield, took closer order travelling strongly turning for home, pressed leader 3f out, ridden over 2f out, close up entering final furlong, stayed on close home but could not match winner, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Newtown Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Tabou Beach Boy 9-4fav (8-12) Chased leaders, challenged 3f out, one pace over 1f out, no extra inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6 3/4l behind Greengage (9-12) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
The Herds Garden 11-1 (11-10) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 3 out, travelled well into lead 2 out, ridden and went clear last, ran on well, won at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Aronius (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
The Steward (USA) 28-1 (11-4) Led, ridden over 2f out, 2l clear over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra, 4th of 10, 1 1/2l behind Proschema (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Titus Bolt (IRE) 15-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 10th of 12, 33 1/2l behind Sincerely Resdev (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Zamarkhan (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on outside over 2f out, led and edged left over 1f out, soon headed, kept on, 4th of 11, 2 1/2l behind Set In Stone (10-12) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Lostnfound 40-1 (10-11) Led, ridden 3f out, narrow advantage 2f out, headed over 1f out, weakened quickly final furlong, last of 11, 8 1/4l behind Set In Stone (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Shetland Bus (GER) 7-2fav (12-0) Chased leaders, not much room 4th, ridden 3 out, weakened final 150 yards, 7th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Las Tunas (10-11) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Cuban Sun 16-1 (10-12) Led, slowed and went left 1st, went left next, soon headed, lost place before 3 out, well beaten 2 out, 5th of 6, 30 1/2l behind Operatic Export (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gf in Sep.
