held up towards rear, headway after 5 out, no impression when fell 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead narrowly run-in, just held on
towards rear and keen, ridden and weakened before 4 out, pulled up
in touch, headway 7th, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, mistake 3rd, reminders after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up
led, ridden and headed run-in, rallied and just held post
tracked leader, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on between rivals last 50 yards, held close home
Knockgraffon returned to winning ways over a similar trip at Musselburgh last month and a 4lb rise in not excessive. Kayf Blanco was second here last time on his handicap debut over fences but TAKINGRISKS was travelling strongly when coming to grief at Kelso and is fancied to gain compensation. Mercian Prince wasn’t winning out of turn at Kempton but this is tougher off a 7lb higher mark, though he still makes more appeal than Special Catch and Pain Au Chocolat. Grey Gold isn’t getting any younger and this looks a big ask for novice Sam Red.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) In rear, headway to go 3rd before 4 out, ridden to lead last, edged right run-in, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Jan beating Upsilon Bleu (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 11-4fav (11-9) Mostly chased leader until 11th, close 3rd, 2nd again before 3 out, led 3 out, clear next, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Rothman (10-1) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Special Catch (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Close up, left 2nd at 12th, ridden to chase winner, no impression from 3 out, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Caraline (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Grey Gold (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up, headway on inside 7th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 6, 30 1/4l behind Pressurize (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Sam Red (FR) 11-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner from 6 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Mount Mews (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Pain Au Chocolat (FR) 6-1 (11-11) Tracked winner, effort 4 out, ridden after next, lost place 2 out, no extra in 4th before last, 4th of 5, 9 1/4l behind Mixboy (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Takingrisks (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, keeping on disputing close 4th when fell 3 out, at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Kayf Blanco 11-4 (10-6) In touch, one pace in 3rd from 2 out, chased winner run-in, always well held, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Positively Dylan (10-11) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
