towards rear, ridden 4 out, well beaten from next, tailed off
chased leaders, pulled hard, went 2nd from 3rd until after 3 out, went 2nd again before last, no impression on winner
chased winner until 3rd, went 2nd again after 3 out until before last where mistake, one pace
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, no extra 2 out
made all, clear 2 out, unchallenged
mid-division on outside, lost place 5th, behind 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, one pace and beaten before 2 out
mid-division, lost place 3rd, behind 3 out
FOREVER DES LONG has found only one too good the last twice. He made favourite Sambezi work hard for victory at Fontwell latest and is probably the one to beat in this. Our Surprise, a winner between the flags, was runner-up to the odds-on Killer Kane at Exeter on his hurdles bow and any improvement would make him a danger to all. The Worthy Brat would have a chance on last year’s form and Stanley Stanley wasn’t disgraced when fourth at Doncaster.
Elyaqim (FR) 66-1 (11-0) In rear, hit 4 out, some headway home turn, never nearer, 6th of 11, 29 3/4l behind Diocletian (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Forever Des Long (FR) 5-2 (11-4) Keen behind leader, almost upsides travelling strongly 3 out, ridden after 2 out, close up last, stayed on flat, could not match winner, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Sambezi (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Grove Ash Great Pretender gelding out of Mons Meg.
Jet Plane (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Soon chasing leaders, led 12f out, headed over 5f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 14, dist behind Mansoline (10-9) at Warwick 2m (5) sft in Mar.
Our Surprise (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Prominent in chasing group, went 2nd before 4th, ridden and 1 length down last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 15, 5 1/2l behind Killer Kane (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Mar.
Scardino (FR) 250-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Mar.
The Worthy Brat (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Raced keenly, chased winner who went clear before 3rd, hit next, ridden and weakened before 2 out, last of 4, 32 1/2l behind Hudson De Grugy (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Stanley Stanley 14-1 (10-12) Midfield, awkward 2nd, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 14 3/4l behind Gilbertina (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (4) gd in Mar.
Morning Gloria (IRE) 125-1 (10-9) Prominent in chasing group, left in 2nd place at 2nd, lost 2nd before 4th, chased leaders, weakened before next, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Killer Kane (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Mar.
