held up in 4th, closing when mistake 3 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on same pace flat
led, jumped left at times, ridden when not fluent 3 out, soon headed, regained lead before 2 out, edged left after last, stayed on gamely
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden 4 out, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out
not fluent in last, tailed off after 5th, continued well behind until unseated rider 3 out
with winner, not fluent 5th, ridden after 4 out, led after next, headed approaching 2 out, switched right flat, stayed on same pace
Phar Again has been badly out of form since completing a double last January and Zelos Diktator makes his debut over fences. Barton Cliche couldn't cope with the veteran Nozic at Plumpton but that was his chasing debut and better is expected. Tooka was last seen landing a handicap here last March but has been raised 9lb which seems excessive so this can go to OWNER OCCUPIER. Chris Gordon's charge didn't have much chance against Amaury De Lusignan in a better handicap at Sandown last time but ran well enough and has a C&D victory to his credit.
Barton Cliche 13-2 (11-10) Raced in last place, mistake 8th, ridden 3 out, effort last, stayed on to go 2nd close home, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Nozic (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs.
Tooka 4-1 (10-6) Led until 7th, led next, ridden and headed after 4 out, regained lead after 3 out, driven and edged left flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar '11 beating Digital Media (10-2) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Owner Occupier 4-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, driven after 4 out, outpaced and mistake 3 out, rallied to modest 3rd next, stayed on to 2nd final 100 yards, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Amaury De Lusignan (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Zelos Diktator 7-1 (11-1) Led but pressed, headed 3 out, soon ridden, mistake and weakened 2 out, soon behind and pulled up, in a race won by Langley (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Phar Again (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Led until 2nd, led next, hit 5th and headed, not fluent and reminder 8th, hit next, last 10th, soon behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by The Laodicean (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb, 5 ran.
