raced wide and jumped stickily early, held up last, jumping steadily improved, good headway to join leaders 9th, led next, went left 4 out, clear when pecked next, 2 lengths ahead last, stayed on well
kept wide, raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
raced on inside, led after 1st, jumped right 3rd, headed and dropped to 3rd 10th, 2nd again 12th until hit 3 out, outpaced when mistake and lost 3rd 2 out, weakened
led until after 1st, chased leaders on inside, struggling to hold place when mistake and unseated rider 10th
kept wide, chased leader, led 9th until next, chased winner until 12th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 3 out, tried to close 2 out, ridden 2 lengths down and readily held last
held up in touch in last pair, headway tracking leaders after 7th, mistake and ridden next, outpaced in last before 10th, plugged on under pressure into modest 3rd 2 out
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Shantou Flyer was right back to his best at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and a repeat effort would see him go close. GUITAR PETE was undoubtedly lucky to win a Grade 3 at Cheltenham last month and is 5lb higher but Nicky Richards’ grey has been a reformed character this season and Ryan Day’s claim should see him competitive again. This is probably a more attractive proposition for Forest Des Aigles than the Peter Marsh at Haydock but these stiff fences will test the jumping of Robinshill while Acting Lass steps out of novice company for the first time after wins at Market Rasen and Leicester, though is unexposed. Kilcrea Vale didn’t stay 3m when favourite at Doncaster but was well beaten behind Fortunate George over this track and trip the time before.
Acting Lass (IRE) 7-4fav (11-8) Sometimes jumped left, chased leaders, led and went left 4th, made most after, hung left and stayed on well under pressure run-in, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Ballyarthur (10-8) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Robinshill (IRE) 15-8fav (12-2) Jumped left, tracked leader, challenged 2nd, left in lead next, left clear 4 out, blundered last, stayed on, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Pearls Legend (11-7) by 5l, 8 ran.
Minella Daddy (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Led until approaching 2nd chased leading pair until 7th, chased leaders, lost place after 9th, behind and struggling after 11th, soon lost touch, tailed off when mistake 3 out and pulled up, at Kempton 3m (1) gd in Dec.
Guitar Pete (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Prominent on outside until 2nd, chased leaders on inside after, lost a little bit of ground 8th, closed 12th, not fluent 3 out, no impression on leader when left closer before 2 out, went 2nd last, led flat, stayed on, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec beating Clan Des Obeaux (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Kilcrea Vale (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Led from 1st, headed before 13th, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, 33l behind Mustmeetalady (10-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Fortunate George (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 14th, behind and no chance when badly bumped 3 out, 7th of 14, 26 1/4l behind Gold Present (11-3) at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Tenor Nivernais (FR) 40-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, 17th of 40, dist behind One For Arthur (10-11) at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Shantou Flyer (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Prominent on outside, lost place 2nd, headway 6th, hit 13th, went 2nd 2 out, held by winner flat, stayed on, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Ballyhill (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
Forest Des Aigles (FR) 5-6fav (11-3) Made all, 3 lengths clear last when blundered, ridden out, won at Bangor 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Wuff (11-8) by 6l, 4 ran.
