led until pushed along 3f out, ridden and lost 2nd soon after, soon beaten
tracked leader, led 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leading pair, 2nd travelling well inside final 3f, out, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily
Charin' Cross weakened quickly on debut at Wetherby and will need a lot more if he is to trouble the other pair. Hands Of Stone was a bit disappointing at Bangor but had run well in a better race at Chepstow in December and a return to that form would make him hard to beat. OURO BRANCO gets 6lb and met trouble in-running when third at Taunton last month. He kept on nicely under considerate handling in the closing stages and will know more today.
Charin' Cross 25-1 (11-3) Mid-division, driven to chase leaders over 4f out, soon ridden, weakened 2f out, 9th of 11, dist behind Mon Palois (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (6) sft in Feb.
Hands Of Stone (IRE) 9-4fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway over 6f out, chased leaders over 4f out, outpaced over 3f out, rallied approaching final furlong, never a threat, 4th of 8, 6 3/4l behind Samson's Reach (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) sft in Feb.
Ouro Branco (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, trapped behind weakening rival and not clear run over 3f out, in the clear over 2f out, modest 3rd 2f out, 3rd of 10, 19l behind If The Cap Fits (11-11) at Taunton 2m (5) gd in Feb.
