always prominent, led 3rd, headed before next, left in lead 5 out, hard ridden when challenged after 2 out, held on well
in touch, left in 2nd 5 out, slow 3 out, effort after next, stayed on well, never reached winner
held up in rear, weakened 4 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, hampered next, headway 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never troubled leaders
led until 3rd, led again before next, ran out and crashed through the wings at 5 out
chased leaders, lost place before 4 out
in touch, mistake 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, never able to challenge
behind, hit 1st, slow 4th, never a factor
IRISH CAVALIER can be forgiven a poor effort over 2m4f in heavy ground at Ascot last month. He's rated much higher than today's opposition having followed up a bumper win with victories over hurdles at Stratford and this track and will take all the beating despite a double penalty. Desoto County opened his account over timber when landing the odds at Kelso and he looks the main threat given the remainder's modest form to date. Grey Earl disappointed last time having made the frame at Towcester earlier while point-to-point winners Money Maid and River Clare have shown little so far over hurdles. Serenity Now went close in a bumper at Catterick recently and is worth noting taking on obstacles for the first time.
Irish Cavalier (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 7th, not fluent next, weakened 3 out, last of 4, well behind Un Temps Pour Tout (11-8) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Desoto County 8-13fav (11-1) Always prominent, smooth headway 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Mohawk Ridge (11-8) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Grey Earl 8-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake 4th, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 12, 32l behind Monkey Kingdom (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
I'm A Rocker (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, headway before 2 out, soon hung left, one pace in 4th, 4th of 7, 13l behind Cogry (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
River Clare (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, not fluent 1st or 3rd, headway after 5th, outpaced when mistake 3 out, no impression, 6th of 13, 20l behind Bodega (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Serenity Now (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Led, raced freely, headed over 1f out, rallied to lead again inside final furlong, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Landmarque (11-2) at Catterick 2m (5) gs in Feb.
Shays River (IRE) 200-1 (11-1) Mid-division, lost place 4th, behind and eased from after 3 out, tailed off, 14th of 18, well behind Gentleman Jon (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Sir Harry Hotspur 250-1 (11-6) Led to 4th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, well behind Softsong (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gs in Jan.
Wing Mira (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, chased leaders after 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened after next, tailed off, 4th of 9, 36l behind Kings Bandit (11-2) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Chebsey Beau 4-1 (10-1) With leader and clear of rest, led briefly before 3 out, not fluent next, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner before last, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Sign Of A Victory (10-13) at Doncaster 2m 4yo nov stks (4) gd in Feb.
Money Maid (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Ran without shoes, last pair, not fluent 3rd and next, tailed off when pulled up before 5th, in a race won by Fairytale Theatre (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
