tracking leaders when fell 1st
chased leading pair, jumped slowly 5th, outpaced 4 out, rallied from 2 out, driven into 3rd between last 2, one pace and well held when not fluent last
hampered 1st, in touch until blundered and dropped to last pair 6th, last at 10th, headway 4 out, driven along and one pace in 4th before 2 out
pressed leader, led before 2 out until 2 out, chased winner, kept on same pace, no impression last
led, headed before 2 out, weakened between last 2
held up in 5th, lost place slightly after 14th, rallied 4 out, weakened soon after 3 out
tracked leaders on inside, ridden and weakened on long run before 2 out
slightly hampered 1st, held up in rear, gained a place 10th, closer 15th, 3rd going well 4 out, led 2 out, 4 lengths ahead when not fluent last, pushed out
NonRunner
Band Of Blood found the company much too hot in the Kim Muir Fulke Walwyn at Cheltenham 10 days ago but had won a couple of these veteran races previously at Exeter and Doncaster. Though he holds No Duffer on the form book, he had only five lengths to spare over SEGO SUCCESS at the latter track and Alan King’s charge is 7lb better off now and entitled to turn the tables. Seeyouatmidnight was entered yesterday at Newbury but would have a chance if rerouted here and Loose Chips beat No Duffer and Fox Appeal in this last year and is a pound lower. Theatre Guide and Houblon Des Obeaux may not be the forces of old while Rathlin Rose seems a Sandown specialist and has yet to win a handicap.
Theatre Guide (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 5 out, behind from next, pulled up before 3 out, at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Houblon Des Obeaux (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place halfway, blundered 16th, tailed off, soon pulled up, at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Led, headed 6 out, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
No Duffer 20-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 6 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra, 5th of 12, 18l behind Band Of Blood (10-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Loose Chips 20-1 (10-13) Prominent, lost place when mistake 11th, behind when blundered 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Master Dee (11-5) at Kempton 3m hcp (1) gd in Feb.
Sego Success (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, soon headway, led 3 out, headed run-in, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 12, 5 1/4l behind Band Of Blood (10-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced before 3 out, weakened before next, 12th of 20, 35 3/4l behind Missed Approach (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Mar.
Rathlin Rose (IRE) 15-8fav (12-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th until before next, chased leaders, 2nd again 2 out, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Baden (12-0) at Sandown 3m (3) sft in Mar.
Seeyouatmidnight 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Big River (10-9) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.