behind, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out
led, headed after 3rd, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 2nd before last, every chance run-in, held near finish
chased leaders, led 2 out, pressed run-in, held on gamely near finish
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, mistake 5th, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last
led after 3rd, headed after 4out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, fell 4 out
held up mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, weakened from 4 out
towards rear, headway before 4 out, chased leaders before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on and always held by leading pair
in rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on strong from 2 out, nearest at finish
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
This looks wide-open but those at the top of the handicap don't have a great record. Irving and Bertimont were upsides when the former fell at Wincanton in November. The latter is now 6lb better off but Paul Nicholls' top weight did go on to land the Fighting Fifth at Newcastle, where Sea Lord was a well-beaten fourth, before disappointing in a couple of subsequent outings. Sign Of A Victory is held on recent Wincanton running, however, while Calipto has a bit to prove having been pulled up in the Imperial Cup at Sandown where subsequent Newbury winner Gassin Golf finished third. Richard Lee's charge is usually thereabouts in these tough handicaps, as is Cheltenian, but betfair Hurdle winner Violet Dancer may be too high in the weights now. I Shot The Sheriff has been in great form but all of his best efforts have been over further. PEARL CASTLE was a bit keen when making his belated reappearance at Newcastle but he travelled strongly for a long way and that will have blown away a few cobwebs. A useful sort last year over timber and on the Flat, he represents last year's winning trainer/jockey combination and looks well treated. Neither Handiwork nor Cool Macavity could be ruled out on their best form.
Irving 11-10fav (11-11) Held up, headway after 4th, went 2nd after 3 out, trying to challenge when not much room against stands side rail before 2 out, again short of room and switched right between final 2, beaten last, no impression, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Blue Heron (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Bertimont (FR) 100-1 (11-10) Held up in touch in last pair, took keen hold until before 2nd, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 16l behind Faugheen (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Sea Lord (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, in 4th before 3 out, challenged 2 out, kept on run-in, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Retrieve (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Feb.
Sign Of A Victory (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, 2nd briefly 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 4th of 6, 32l behind Blue Heron (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hdl G2 (1) sft in Feb.
Cheltenian (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, driven and effort after 2 out, one pace before last, soon no extra, weakened flat, 8th of 24, 15l behind Wicklow Brave (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Calipto (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, never involved, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Ebony Express (10-7) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Mar, 23 ran.
Gassin Golf 4-1fav (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway on inside 3 out, 2nd 2 out, led last, clear when edged right and driven run-in, eased close home, won at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gs in Mar beating Lough Kent (10-11) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Violet Dancer 20-1 (11-7) With leader, led after 1st, driven and headed before last, soon weakened, 10th of 24, 20l behind Wicklow Brave (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl G3 (1) sft in Mar.
Cinders And Ashes 14-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, carried out 2nd, in a race won by Astre De La Cour (10-10) at Aintree 2m cond hcp hdl (2) gd, 21 ran.
Pearl Castle (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Raced keenly, tracked leaders until held up mid-division after 2nd, tracked leaders again 4th, effort before 2 out, every chance last, no extra in 4th, flat, 4th of 9, 6l behind Avidity (10-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Mar.
Roman Flight (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up in last pair, pushed along and struggling before 3 out, mistake last, never a factor, 9th of 10, 15l behind Dormello Mo (11-5) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl (2) gd.
Ifandbutwhynot (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent and went 2nd 8th, driven and no impression before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Just Cameron (11-5) at Haydock 2m nov hcap ch (3) sft.
Handiwork 22-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 11, hd behind Purple 'n Gold (10-2) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Mar.
Cool Macavity (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside chasing leaders 2 out, weakened under pressure between last two, 8th of 18, 13l behind Bayan (11-5) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gs in Dec.
I Shot The Sheriff (IRE) 4-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ran freely, progress to lead 4 out, travelled well and asserted before last, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 sft beating Ttebbob (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 18 ran.
