in rear, soon struggling, tailed off
with leaders early, chased leader, led 4 out, jumped left last, driven out
led until before 2nd, blundered 3rd and reminders, jumped left 7th, soon outpaced, headway 2 out, soon chased winner, kept on
alwayd towards rear
towards rear, went remote 4th from 5 out, pluggled on and never dangerous
with leaders, took keen hold, led before 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
Drill Sergeant was the highest rated of these over hurdles but Donald McCain's eight-year-old has a mind of his own and his yard has been in the doldrums a little lately. He's also been absent since finishing well beaten behind Dr Livingstone in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton in January and DOLATULO beat that same rival in a similar contest at Southwell 12 days ago. The latter is a rare runner here for Lambourn handler Warren Greatrex and he can make a winning debut over the larger obstacles under the champ. Alta Rock won twice over timber but didn't show much on his fencing bow at Ayr last month and the others also have plenty to find.
Alta Rock (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leader until 4th, pushed along 7th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 32l behind Carrigdhoun (11-0) at Ayr 2m beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
Dolatulo (FR) 9-4fav (11-0) Made all, ridden over 2f out, clear over 1f out, eased towards finish, won at Southwell 2m n h flat (4) std in Mar beating Dr Livingstone (11-9) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Drill Sergeant 16-1 (11-4) Led, headed over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 16, 24l behind Dr Livingstone (11-4) at Kempton 2m n h flat (3) std in Jan.
Everylasting (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 18, 40l behind Giveitachance (11-9) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Feb.
Lukey Luke 11-2 (10-0) In touch, hard ridden 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 9, 13l behind Riddlestown (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Toledo Gold (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Led and soon clear, blundered 2nd, reduced advantage 4th, headed 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 11, 37l behind Hunters Belt (10-10) at Perth 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sep.