well away, led early, tracked leading pair from 2nd until 9th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
soon tracking leader, hit 3rd, led 8th, clear 4 out, reduced lead 2 out, ridden and headed before last, weakened soon after
held up in last pair, plugged on same pace in 4th from 2 out
took keen hold, held up in rear, headway into 4th after 3 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, good headway into 2nd 3 out, led travelling well before last, kept on well run-in
took keen hold tracking leaders in 4th, went 3rd at 9th, weakened 3 out, eased and pulled up before 2 out
mistake 3rd, dropped to rear and never travelled, struggling in rear 3 out, good headway approaching 2 out, driven and stayed on between last 2, went close 2nd approaching and jumped left last, kept on same pace run-in
led 2nd, headed 8th, chased leader until 3 out, chased leading pair, one pace in 3rd and no impression when went left last
Nonrunner
Robbie Hennessy sent Hero De Villeneuve over to this track to get off the mark at the start of the month and a follow-up isn't out of the question off a 7lb higher mark. But O'CALLAGHAN STRAND hinted that a revival may be imminent at Southwell last time and A P McCoy is back on board today. Jonjo O'Neill's charge is back on a winning mark and the drying ground is very much in his favour. Handsome Harry has a long absence to overcome and most of the others have their quirks, including Polarbrook ,who was never travelling at Towcester last time.
Thinger Licht (FR) 15-8 (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 6, 17l behind Galiotto (10-12) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (4-8yo) (5) gd.
Polarbrook (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, bumped slightly 5th, not fluent 7th, mistake next, well behind from 10th, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Freckle Face (11-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
O'callaghan Strand (AUS) 14-1 (10-11) In rear, ridden 4 out, never near leaders, 5th of 8, 27l behind Ice 'n' Easy (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
Nikos Extra (FR) 5-4 (12-0) (cp) ref to race, in a race won by Just Gizmo (12-0) at Bitterley 3m ptp in Apr, 7 ran.
Hero De Villeneuve (FR) 8-1 (10-10) In touch in rear, headway when hit 4 out, carried head high approaching last, led last, edged left, ridden and ran on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd beating Sure Thing (11-4) by 5l, 7 ran.
Handsome Harry (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Hunters Lodge (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sep '12.
Duaiseoir (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, ridden and lost place 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, weakened and lost remote 3rd flat, 4th of 6, 34l behind Phone Home (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Allerton (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Reluctant to post, always in rear, struggling from 7th, lost touch and pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Midnight Lira (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Blazing Desert 7-1 (10-12) Made most until before 6th, weakened quickly and pulled up before next, in a race won by Rocky Stone (11-11) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Apr, 10 ran.
