whipped round start, soon led, ridden over 3f out, pressed from over 2f until well inside final furlong, stayed on
led early, chased winner until ridden over 2f out, soon edged left and beaten, stayed on same pace
reluctant to line up, slightly hampered an refused to race
tracked leaders, pushed along over 4f out, switched left and effort to press winner from over 2f out, kept on, no impression towards finish
MAGIC DANCER was in good form over hurdles before the turn of the year. This will be his first run on an artificial surface but he has won on the Flat and looks the one to beat if coping with Fibresand. Swashbuckle was beaten a long way in a Flat race here last month but has been placed on Tapeta and Polytrack and been successful over 1m4f and 1m6f on the level. Haulani clearly didn’t stay an extended 2m3f at Musselburgh in January but had also looked a weak finisher in his two previous tries over hurdles over this trip while Ortenzia went backwards after a second at Worcester in August. Oskar Denarius has changed stables since wins at Catterick and Fontwell in December but could still play a part.
Swashbuckle 20-1 (9-12) Led until halfway, lost place over 4f out, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 16 3/4l behind Coeur de Lion (9-7) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) pol in Feb.
Haulani (USA) 9-4fav (11-1) Towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Spectator (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Investigation 100-1 (10-7) In rear, flattened 4th, behind next, soon pulled up, at Fakenham 2m mdn (3) hvy in Jan.
Shine Baby Shine 28-1 (10-5) Towards rear, ridden after 3 out, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Cornerstone Lad (11-4) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Magic Dancer 9-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway on wide outside run-in, no threat, 7th of 17, 10 1/4l behind Hunters Call (10-3) at Ascot 2m hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Oskar Denarius (IRE) 6-4fav (10-11) Raced on inside, tended to jump left, made all, kept to inside in straight, ridden and kept on well run-in, won at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating River Dun (11-0) by nk, 9 ran.
Ortenzia (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Keen, tracked leader until ridden on long run to 2 out, soon weakened and slow 2 out, 4th of 7, 28l behind Nube Negra (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
