towards rear, ridden after 4 out, beaten before 2 out
led, not fluent and headed 6th, remained close up, pushed along before 3 out, kept on one pace from before final fence
handy early, ridden and lost place after 4 out, well held 3 out and pulled up before last
towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, led 6th, pushed along before 3 out, ridden and pressed before last, good jump final fence and stayed on well to assert run-in
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, ran on same pace
in rear, effort and headway into 3rd 4 out, shaken up and pressed leader before last, ran on, no extra
The rejuvenated veteran Steel Wave arrives in fine form though is raised a further 6lb having scored over track and trip last time. ECOSSAIS found Via Dolorosa too good here last month having won all three of his previous starts over these fences. The latter went on to score again and Oliver Greenall’s charge looks sure to be thereabouts at the finish on that form. William Of Orange won this last year but his form has taken a nosedive subsequently and the remainder have also struggled lately.
Port Of Mars (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) In rear, pushed along and struggling 6 out, blundered 3 out, never in contention, 3rd of 5, 29 1/2l behind Numitor (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Roque It (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Pressed leader, jumped right and mistake 11th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before last, at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
William Of Orange 22-1 (10-11) In rear, jumped slowly 12th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before next, at Catterick 3m 6f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Lock's Corner (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Jumped left in rear, mistake 2nd, behind when pulled up before 12th, at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Debden Bank 12-1 (11-9) Pressed leader, restrained behind leading pair 4th, ridden and lost place 9th, tailed off after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Ecossais (FR) 11-2 (11-1) In rear, not fluent 4th, in touch 9th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, headway approaching 2 out, ran on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Via Dolorosa (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Steel Wave (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In rear, smooth headway before 3 out, asked for effort 3 out, two lengths down last, kept on run-in, led close home, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Don't Ask (11-10) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
