led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, challenged 3 out, weakened next
in rear, headway before 4 out, mistake 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last
held up towards rear and keen, effort before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, lost place halfway
Masquerade won over 2m1f at Bangor in December but didn't appear to get home over further under a penalty at Sedgefield next time. Templebraden has already won over this course and distance, however, though was easily put in his place by the useful Fine Rightly at Wetherby subsequently. CLOUD CREEPER gets 7lb from the two previous winners and that may be enough for Philip Hobbs' seven-year-old to finally open his account after a number of near-misses, including when only beaten a head by Junction Fourteen at Kempton in November. Benenden showed some ability when third on his debut under Rules at Doncaster but 3m will probably see him in a better light.
Templebraden (IRE) 13-8 (11-9) Tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Fine Rightly (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Benenden (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on towards finish, just held for 2nd place, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Act Alone (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Cloud Creeper (IRE) 6-5fav (11-6) In touch in rear, headway approaching 7th, not fluent and went 2nd 3 out, ridden from next, no impression last, eased flat, 2nd of 8, 16l behind Carole's Destrier (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Max Ward (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led and soon clear to halfway, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened well over 2f out, 5th of 8, 31l behind On Tour (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gd in Oct.
Mondo Cane (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 3rd, blundered badly again 12th and unseated rider, in a race won by Destroyer Deployed (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Mortlestown (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Deputy Dan (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Princess Bella (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, tailed off before 4 out, 15th of 17, well behind Rainbow Peak (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Masquerade (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Led, headed last, ridden and no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 12l behind Getabuzz (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
