tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 4 out until next, ridden before 2 out, mistake last, one pace
held up in rear and in touch, went 2nd 3 out, challenged on bit before last, shaken up and switched left run-in, pushed along and coaxed to lead towards finish, cleverly
tracked leader until 4 out, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
led, ridden and pressed before last, headed towards finish, kept on
Culcabock didn't appear to get home over 2m4f at Ayr in January. Lucinda Russell's 11-year-old is approaching the veteran stage now but is 10lb lower than his last winning mark and probably still has a race like this in him if everything falls into place. Soft going wouldn't be ideal, however, whereas BEST PROSPECT thrives on the surface. Michael Dods's charge doesn't always find a great deal off the bridle but didn't do a lot wrong when runner-up to Reindeer Dippin over C&D last month and gets on well with Barry Keniry. Benny Be Good may be seeking a confidence-booster over hurdles, but Washington Irving and Bishops Heir can't be discounted if back to their best.
Washington Irving (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway on inner approaching when not much room and crashed through rails and ran out 4th, in a race won by Reindeer Dippin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Best Prospect (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, ridden and switched right after last, chased winner last 75 yards, kept on towards finish, just held close home, 2nd of 12, nk behind Reindeer Dippin (11-1) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Benny Be Good 2-1fav (11-4) Led to 1st, tracked leaders, blundered badly 4th and unseated rider, in a race won by Film Festival (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd, 7 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders and keen, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 13l behind Diklers Oscar (10-13) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Bishops Heir 11-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Cool Operator (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
