chased winner, blundered 1st, upsides and challenging from 4 out, ridden no extra and held after 2 out
jumped well, made virtually all, joined 4 out ridden to assert after 2 out, driven out
took keeen hold, always last, not fluent and ridden 6th, reminders 9th and next, outpaced and no chance from 4 out, tailed off
tracked leading pair, reminders after 11th and next, mistake 13th, outpaced by leading duo 4 out, stayed on again approaching last
Nonrunner
Paul Nicholls unveiled French import AERIAL in a seemingly competitive Wincanton handicap which turned out to be nothing of the sort as the gelding sauntered home in disdainful fashion. His French form all arrived on ground with plenty of cut but he handled quicker conditions in the west country with aplomb and is very hard to oppose here. Squadron has taken to fences well enough and hasn't finished out of the frame in his last four outings. He should maintain that record here and rates the main threat with trip and ground likely to suit. Pascha Bere has run into Starluck and Hidden Keel the last twice and may have caught a tartar here once again.
Aerial (FR) 10-3fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, challenged 10th, led 5 out, ridden clear when hit 2 out, eased flat, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb beating Tamadot (11-6) by 9l, 9 ran.
Gee Dee Nen 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hard driven 4 out, weakened before next, 10th of 12, 46l behind Pere Blanc (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Pascha Bere (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Held up in 4th, went 3rd at 8th, outpaced when jumped right 4 out, left 12 lengths 2nd 2 out, stayed on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 29l behind Hidden Keel (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Squadron 11-8 (11-4) Close 3rd on inside, not fluent 9th, hit 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, mistake and beaten last, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Be There In Five (10-12) at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) gd in Mar.
Canni Thinkaar (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 9th, soon pushed along and lost place, rallied 11th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Prince Des Marais (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
