made most, headed 3 out, 5 lengths 4th and outpaced when blundered badly next, not recover
with leader, ridden 4 out, soon lost place, weakened and pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 4th, not fluent 11th, effort 3 out, soon outpaced
in rear, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled before 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led next, ridden last, headed no extra flat
held up, headway 5 out, effort 2 out, stayed on to lead flat, ridden out
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
Lankawi can get back to winning ways at the expense of First Look and Royal Rosa. The selection comes form the in form Peter Bowen yard who also does well at the Scottish track. Lankawi recorded at hat-trick of wins before finishing second to Reveillez at Aintree in a competitive handicap two weeks ago. If able to maintain that level of form then he is the one horse they all have to beat. First Look comes here on the back of a good win at Ayr last time out. He was a short priced favourite that day and was expected to win with a clear round but this looks tougher and his game will have to be raised if he is to score once more. Royal Rosa was highly tried at Cheltenham last time out. He was no match for Denman that day but has shown a good level of form in top races to be given a chance against this lesser company. Having said that he does come up against some horses in tip top form at present so will have to be back to his best to score. So for the winner we return to Lankawi as the likely winner.
Fast Forward (NZ) 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, mistake 11th, led next, hit 3 out, very tired when not fluent last, soon headed, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Nenuphar Collonges (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m nov hcp chs (2) sft in Mar.
Royal Rosa (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Held up, mistake 12th, no progress, 11th of 17, 37l behind Denman (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
First Look (FR) 4-9fav (11-2) Held up, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led next, clear approaching last, won at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Mar beating Lethem Air (10-9) by 8l, 7 ran.
Lankawi 10-1 (10-0) Held up, blundered 12th, headway 5 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 18, 7l behind Reveillez (11-8) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs (2) gd.
Caribou (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leader 4th, joined leader 3 out, soon led, ridden and ran on flat, won at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb beating Spidam (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 4 ran.
Patman Du Charmil (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Dunbrody Millar (10-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gd, 29 ran.
Echo Point (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Led, headed after 8th, not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 31l behind Lankawi (11-3) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) sft in Mar.
Lethem Air 8-1 (10-9) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind First Look (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Mar.
