held up in touch in rear, driven after 3 out, chased leaders when switched inside before next, never on terms, weakened before last, lost modest 4th flat
tracked leaders, pushed along after 6th, ridden and lost place after 8th, behind from 3 out
prominent on outside, ridden to chase easy winner after 3 out, kept on same pace, lost 2nd between last 2, soon weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced in 5th after 3 out, ridden and beaten before next, stayed on to take modest 4th flat
made all, mistake 1st, drew clear before 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on strongly, comfortably
tracked leaders, driven to chase leading pair before 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd between last 2, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner
MACKERYE END (NAP) makes his handicap debut after a fine victory over the useful chaser Wyck Hill at Chepstow. He looked a progressive type that day and his earlier close second to The Tourard Man off levels at Southwell points to his chance as the winner is now rated 18lb higher. Saint John Henry is also progressing nicely and may have been attempting a four-timer but for falling at Huntingdon. The assessor hasn't been hard on him and he looks a major threat. Take The Cash was a very easy winner at Sedgefield last March but ran poorly here three weeks later and hasn't been seen since. Bourne, who was rated 132 for his last victory just over two years ago, had dropped 27lb when making Milan Flyer pull out all the stops at Newcastle last time. Connections won't be happy to see him raised 9lb but along with the veteran Quel Elite he can't be dismissed.
Take The Cash (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Led until 2nd, tracked leaders, effort 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 28l behind Monkey Kingdom (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Vandross (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Pressed leader until after 7th, ridden and lost place before next, hampered 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by The Tourard Man (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Mackerye End (IRE) 7-4 (10-12) Held up in last pair, 4th from 3rd, headway 6th, 2nd next, led narrowly approaching 2 out, strongly pressed last, driven stayed on well and and in command final 100 yards, won at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Wyck Hill (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bourne 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden before 2 out, every chance last, kept on and just held towards finish, 2nd of 15, hd behind Milan Flyer (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Saint John Henry (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Always prominent, challenged 4 out, led before 2 out, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan beating Heathfield (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Quel Elite (FR) 12-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 6l behind Join The Clan (10-10) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Kellys Brow (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in touch, pushed along before 8th, soon struggling, lost touch when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Champagne Rian (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
