tracked leader, led 10 th, clear from 4 out, kept on well, pushed out
in touch in 4th, headway 11th, ridden before 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 11th, ridden and lost 2nd place 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd before last, kept on and no impression
led, jumped right 1st, hit 8th, headed 10th, quickly weakened after 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
Rich Lord finally opened his account over fences when scoring at this track last month but he needed testing ground to do so and DEGAS ART is preferred on that basis. It was fast going when the latter scored at Kelso before following up over these fences so it could pay to stick with Lucinda Russell's charge here. The rest have plenty to find on today's terms, though Double Expresso looked to be getting his act together over the larger obstacles when finishing a much-improved second at Sedgefield recently and he looks to have stronger claims than both Political Paddy and Sheepclose.
Degas Art (IRE) 6-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden after last, kept on to lead last 50 yards, held on well, won at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft in Mar beating Saddle Pack (10-5) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
Rich Lord 15-2 (11-7) In rear, headway before 3 out, challenged last, ridden to lead soon after, kept on well, eased towards finish, won at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Mar beating Sir Tamburlane (11-1) by 8l, 7 ran.
Double Expresso 9-4 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along 7th, reminders before 13th, led 2 out, ridden before last, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Willie Hall (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (5) gd in Mar.
Political Paddy 12-1 (11-1) In touch, hit 6th, kept on same pace, went 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 13, 11l behind Scotswell (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
Sheepclose (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) 3rd of 5, 19l behind Royal Deal (11-8) at Whitwell-on-the-hill 3m ptp gf.
