disputed lead until led 9th, headed after 5 out, rallied next, weakened 2 out
disputed lead until lost place 9th, mistake next, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, headway 12th, chasing leaders when mistake 5 out, soon under pressure, weakened 2 out
in touch, chased leaders halfway, mistake 14th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra closing stages
tracked leaders, led after 5 out, headed next, led again 2 out, stayed on strongly
held up in touch, jumped slowly, under pressure 12th, stayed on into modest 3rd 2 out, never a threat
chased leaders, blundered 4th, soon lost place
Already successful twice over course and distance, GLITTERING LOVE (NAP) is fancied to extend his unbeaten record over fences despite another 8lb rise. He has his ground again and Brian Hughes keeps the partnership intact. Strong Resemblance was under pressure when making a mess of the second-last at Wetherby and has been raised a further 5lb but Capard King is starting to look well treated, though has changed stables since falling when prominent at Warwick on New Year’s Eve. No No Mac is better over shorter trips so Well Above Par looks best of the rest.
Strong Resemblance (IRE) 9-4fav (11-13) Jumped right on occasions, led, clear 3 out, blundered badly and headed 2 out, lost 2nd at the last, weakened, not recover, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Minella For Me (11-10) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Feb.
Blue Kascade (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Led, headed narrowly after 9th, lost place 3 out (usual 4 out), weakened last (usual 2 out), tailed off, last of 4, 31l behind Chidswell (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Well Above Par (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led before 6th, blundered 9th, soon headed, remained prominent, outpaced after 5 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 19 1/4l behind Fiddlers Bow (11-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Capard King (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) In touch, took narrow 2nd when fell 13th, at Warwick 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Glittering Love (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Tracked front pair, went 2nd after 6th, switched inside after 12th, led next, made rest, ridden between last 2, stayed on well, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Imperial Prince (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Buffalo Ballet 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, lost place 10th, struggling next, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 11, 24l behind Geronimo (11-4) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
No No Mac (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, rallied 2 out, stayed on into 3rd closing stages, never a threat, 3rd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Graystown (11-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
