held up in last pair, behind when hit 8th (5 out), plugging on when left remote 3rd last, went poor 2nd run-in
held up and behind, jumped slowly 4th, good headway tracking leaders 10th (3 out), 2nd after 2 out (normal 3 out), challenged bypassing next, every chance when blundered and unseated rider last
led until headed bypassing omitted 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
held up in rear, fell 2nd
chased leader, led bypassing omitted 7th, headed after next and lost 2nd, chased leading pair until 10th (3 out), ridden and weakened quickly after next, soon pulled up
chased leaders, weakened quickly bypassing omitted 7th, pulled up before next
tracked leaders on outside, went 2nd bypassing 7th, led after next (5 out), joined bypassing 2 out, strongly pressed when left clear last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 8th (5 out) until after 2 out (normal 3 out), plugged on in 3rd, left remote 2nd last, weakened into 3rd run-in
chased leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 9th (4 out), behind and pulled up before last
NonRunner
SHANTUNG (NAP) has run well in defeat since sauntering home in a Lingfield maiden in November. She’s a sister to two winning stayers so will stay every inch of this trip and the handicapper may have let her in lightly. Tomkevi won this last year and arrives on a hat-trick so looks a big threat. Western Wave also arrives in good form and has stamina in abundance while Captain Drake makes his handicap debut after winning a maiden at Uttoxeter in December. Mon Palois has been chasing, however, and was only fifth off a lower mark here when last sent over hurdles.
Creep Desbois (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Badly hampered 3rd, last pair, dropped to last at 6th, never a factor after, tailed off 4 out, 7th of 8, dist behind Larry (11-11) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Tomkevi (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, slow 4th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, every chance last, led flat, ran on, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Hastrubal (11-0) by 3l, 8 ran.
Red Devil Lads (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Led, headed and jumped slowly 9th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 11th, at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Western Wave (FR) 9-2jfav (12-1) Held up in rear, headway on outside 5th, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last bend, went clear briefly, jumped right last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Gardiners Hill (10-11) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Mon Palois (FR) 10-3fav (11-8) Close up, chased leader 4 out, ridden to lead next, soon headed, held when blundered and fell 2 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Casper King (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In rear, headway 4th to chase leaders, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in May.
Captain Drake (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Mid-division, closed from 4th, led before 3 out, shaken up last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Dec beating Liosduin Bhearna (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Chased leaders on inside, plugged on in 3rd from next, 3rd of 14, 13 3/4l behind Black Buble (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Big Penny (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Prominent, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 21 1/4l behind Papagana (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Shantung (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, headway when not fluent 4th, jumped right 3 out, chased winner on last bend, no impression when not fluent last, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 8 3/4l behind Yellow Dockets (11-6) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) gs in Jan.
