tracked leaders on outside, close up 5 out, ridden after next, upsides 3 out, led between last 2, driven clear flat, kept on
led, mistake 7th, headed narrowly before 4 out, led again narrowly next, ridden and headed between last 2, 3rd and one pace when fell last
pressed leader, ridden to lead narrowly before 4 out until next, weakened between last 2, well held when left 4th last
tracked leaders, effort on outside after 4 out, every chance when blundered next, ridden and one pace 2 out, held when left 3rd last
in touch on inside, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression with winner flat
not fluent early, soon behind and pushed along, lost touch 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Drumconnor Lad travels over from Ireland having picked up the winning thread again at Leopardstown on Boxing Day. He looks sure to make his presence felt again but Tonto’s Spirit may do better when the ground dries out, despite winning on soft going at Sedgefield in the autumn. Ardera Cross is only 4lb higher than when successful over track and trip in November and won again at Musselburgh last month but Roxboro Road has no form over a trip this short and Vengeur De Guye remains out of sorts. CLAN LEGEND (NAP) bids for a third course victory and arrives in peak form so it’s difficult to ignore the claims of Lucy Alexander’s mount, who is effective between 2m and 2m4f.
Drumconnor Lad (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Soon raced in 5th, closed and on terms approaching 2 out, soon led, kept on well run-in to hold on at the finish, won at Leopardstown 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec beating Batcio (10-1) by 1/2l, 16 ran.
Tonto's Spirit 8-1 (11-3) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, effort 3 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 7, 25l behind Marracudja (11-1) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, ridden before 4 out, went right 3 out and next, clear before last, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Duke Of Navan (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Clan Legend 9-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, headway from 11th, every chance 2 out, held by winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Nuts Well (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Vengeur De Guye (FR) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, well beaten 3 out, 7th of 12, 27l behind Aristo Du Plessis (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Roxboro Road (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Soon chased leaders, 5th from 3rd, soon closed, prominent and mistake 2 out, 3rd approaching straight, soon no extra, one pace, 4th of 9, 20 3/4l behind Chavi Artist (11-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in Jan.
