jumped left on occasions, made all, hit 4th, dived at next, 2 lengths clear last, ridden and kept on gamely towards finish, all out
held up in 5th place, nudged along before 4 out, ridden and no response after next, never on terms
tracked winner, hit 4 out, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened rapidly and blundered 2 out, pulled up before the last
chased leading pair, hit 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, 2 lengths down when mistake last, ridden and strong challenge near finish, just failed
well behind, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
tracked leading trio, went left 3 out, ridden along and outpaced when went 3rd approaching 2 out, no chance with leading duo
I CAN’T EXPLAIN failed to land the odds in Listed company at Cheltenham last time but didn’t really get the run of the race and wasn’t given a hard time. He should get favourite-backers off to a good start on this marathon card given he had a host of subsequent winners behind when scoring at Sandown on his debut under Rules. Deise Aba beat a subsequent Listed winner at Chepstow in November so will be no pushover and Russian Hawk and Dashel Drasher have also shown decent form but Imperial Knight was pulled up on his hurdles bow.
Dashel Drasher 5-6fav (11-2) Hit 1st, made all, clear before 3 out, hit 3 out, dived at next, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan beating Tarada (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
Deise Aba (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Keen in mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, led after 3 out, challenged last, ran on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Queenohearts (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
I Can't Explain (IRE) 5-6fav (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in rear, headway on outside 7th, not quicken in 3rd before mistake last, went 2nd post, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Jarveys Plate (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan.
Russian Hawk 9-2 (11-8) In touch, mistake and lost place 6th, plugged on into 4th 2 out, went 3rd run-in, no chance with 1st 2, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Downtown Getaway (11-2) at Ascot 2m 6f (3) gs in Jan.
Du Chatelier (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Prominent, slowed into 1st, jumped big, pecked and unseated rider next, at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jan.
Imperial Knight (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, pulled up before next, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
