close up, led 3 out , clear next, ran on, comfortable
tracked leader, led 14th, ridden and headed between 3 out, weakened next
not fluent, in touch in rear, slow jump 3rd, awkward 14th, soon outpaced, rallied to chase easy winner 2 out, kept on one pace
made most until headed 14th, weakened 2 out
close up, in touch in rear when mistake 10th, weakened 12, behind when pulled up 2 out
That's Rhythm is bidding for a seventh course win and the 13-year-old is sure to make his presence felt again. But he has to give five years and 4lb to easy Newton Abbot winner ROUND TOM, which may prove beyond him. Will Biddick's mount looks to be on an upward curve and is preferred to Surenaga, who unseated his rider when favourite for a race at Cheltenham at the start of the month but did win earlier at Ludlow. It will be a surprise if the other pair are involved at the business end.
That's Rhythm (FR) 6-4 (11-0) Went 2nd aft 5; led flat; rdly, won at Kimblewick 3m ptp gd beating Description (11-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Round Tom (FR) 10-11fav (12-0) Led 3rd, hit 15th, driven clear 2 out, very easy, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hts chs (6) gf beating Prince Massini (11-7) by 11l, 8 ran.
Surenaga (IRE) 10-3fav (11-9) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, not fluent 3rd, mistake 5th, headway on outside 9th, challenged 15th, every chance when stumbled, lost footing and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Doctor Kingsley (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hts chs (4) gd, 8 ran.
Benefit Night (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, weakened from 10th, tailed off, 3rd of 5, dis behind Kirkleigh (11-10) at Chepstow 3m hts chs (6) hvy in Mar.
Donttellmother (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Ap; ev ch 3 out; wknd nxt, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Ganbei (12-5) at Cheshire 3m ptp gd in Apr.