raced keenly, held up 4th, headway into 2nd at 6th, pushed along and one pace before 2 out, no chance with easy winner
reluctant to line up and led in, led, hit 4th, jinked left and headed 5th, chased winner under pressure until next, chased leaders, weakened 3 out, not run on, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leader, led 5th, clear before 2 out, easily
chased leading pair until before 6th, in touch, pushed along and outpaced 7th, went 3rd again before next, pushed along and outpaced on long run before 2 out
RAISE A SPARK has already won at Bangor and Catterick this season and should get favourite backers off to a winning start. His latest third at Newcastle came in a higher grade and he’s been dropped a pound since. Morning Royalty and Pistol clashed at Ayr in January with the former doing best - he should have few problems confirming that form here. Almost Gemini is still 6lb higher than for his last win over hurdles but is sure to strip fitter for last month’s third at Catterick, his first run since August.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) In touch, led 4th, headed after 4 out, one pace in 3rd, 3rd of 6, 14 1/2l behind Desert Cry (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Pistol (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened from 8th, tailed off, pulled up, 5th of 6, dist behind Desert Cry (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Raise A Spark 9-2 (10-12) In touch, took keen hold, blundered 2nd, went 3rd before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 7 1/2l behind Teo Vivo (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Almost Gemini (IRE) 5-1 (12-1) Mid-division, headway before 7th, went 4th before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd place run-in, no impression, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Kauto Riko (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
