led early, tracked clear leader, close up 6th, led again 8th, made rest, drew clear from 4 out, comfortably
held up well off pace in 4th, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, disputed remote 3rd from 6th, never any chance with clear pair
soon led, clear to 6th, headed 8th, chased winner, kept on but no chance in clear 2nd from 4 out
chased clear pair to 2 out, never a threat
held up well of pace in rear, lost touch 6th, continued tailed off
NonRunner
A Grade 3 winner over timber, Sam's Gunner debut over fences today and is weighted to go close if taking to the larger obstacles. Destrier landed a novices handicap at Southwell on his chasing bow but REIVERS LAD (NAP) beat tougher opposition than this when making a winning start over fences at Newcastle last time. Nicky Richards’ charge had a subsequent winner back in fourth on that occasion and can go in again. Tonto's Spirit is a decent hurdler weighted to beat both Margaret's Rose and Uncle Bobby now chasing for the first time.
Destrier (FR) 15-8fav (11-10) Made all, clear before 3 out, held on towards finish, won at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Another Crick (10-8) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Sam's Gunner 12-1 (11-4) In rear, not fluent 6th, pushed along next, well beaten after 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) sft in Apr.
Tonto's Spirit 16-1 (11-2) Led until 3 out, 3rd and beaten before last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Le Patriote (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Uncle Bobby 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up, weakened before 4 out, 4th of 5, 31 1/2l behind Hawk High (11-6) at Newcastle 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Margaret's Rose (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Mistake and struggling 8th, always behind, tailed off 4 out, last of 11, dist behind Johnbb (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Reivers Lad 11-2 (10-13) In touch chasing group, headway 4 out, 4 lengths down in 3rd before last, ridden and ran on well to lead towards finish, won at Newcastle 2m (3) gs in Dec beating Cool Mix (10-13) by 3/4l, 9 ran.