held up behind in touch, headway to track leaders when not fluent and reminder 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off from next
led to after 2nd, tracked leader, lost place and driven after 4 out, ridden before next, one pace in 5th approaching last, stayed on flat, went 3rd near finish
pressed leader, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, ridden after next, one pace before last, weakened flat
tracked leaders on outside, went 3rd before 3 out, led narrowly between last 2, ridden clear flat, stayed on well
held up in touch, headway and effort 3 out, ridden last, stayed on to chase winner flat, well held towards finish
tracked leaders, joined leader 4 out, led narrowly next, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra flat, lost 3rd near finish
chased leaders on inside, reminders afetr 5th, lost place after next, behind from 8th, weakened and pulled up 4 out
Vendor has his sights lowered but is still 7lb higher than when scoring at Newbury in November. RUMBLE OF THUNDER looks to be right back to his best and is only a couple of pounds higher than when caught right on the line by Hidden Justice at Haydock last month. Adam Nichol claims 5lb so Philip Kirby's charge is fancied to get back to winning ways though Hit The Top has been generally progressive and travelled strongly for a long way when second in a decent handicap at Sedgefield last time. Fine Rightly steps out of novice company and won't find it easy to dominate these more experienced handicappers as Musselburgh scorer Wyse Hill Teabags also likes to be prominent. Portway Flyer was entered here yesterday.
Vendor (FR) 11-1 (10-10) Behind, some headway into mid-division 3 out, never near leaders, 10th of 28, 11l behind Whisper (11-6) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Wyse Hill Teabags 10-1 (10-9) Made all, not fluent 2 out, stayed on gamely, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb beating Mister Dillon (11-2) by 2l, 11 ran.
Fine Rightly (IRE) 8-11fav (11-6) Made all, clear before 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Templebraden (11-9) by 7l, 5 ran.
Brother Du Berlais (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, driven between last 2, headed last, stayed on same pace flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Knight Of Noir (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) hvy in Feb.
Rumble Of Thunder (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led to 4th, chased leaders, led before last, ridden run-in, caught post, 2nd of 10, shd behind Hidden Justice (10-13) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Mar.
Hit The Top (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th, headed before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Getabuzz (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Arctic Court (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Towards rear, mistake 5th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden next, no impression before last, 5th of 9, 8l behind Lie Forrit (11-12) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Portway Flyer (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In touch, chased leaders after 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, never able to challenge, 3rd of 20, 1 3/4l behind Carole's Destrier (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gs in Mar.