held up in touch, closed 6th, close 3rd and ridden 3 out, switched left before next, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd towards finish
held up towards rear, headway 7th, not fluent and one pace 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 4th, went 2nd 11th, no impression on winner flat, stayed on
tracked leaders on inside, lost place before 10th, not fluent next, back in touch after 14th, one pace from 3 out
made all, clear flat, stayed on well
pressed winner, mistake 8th, lost 2nd 11th, lost place 13th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place after 2nd, not fluent 14th, headway after 2 out, no impression, weakened flat
held up in rear, jumped slowly 3rd, mistake 10th, closed on outside 13th, no extra before last
in rear, reminder 1st and after 9th, always behind
SIR MANGAN (NAP) showed that staying is his game when scoring impressively over 3m3f at Sedgefield and though 8lb higher that was only his fifth start over fences and there's more to come. Jason Maguire is likely to make this a stamina test which may see off Big Water, who, though progressing nicely, has never raced over a trip this far. Maggio has to be a big threat to all as he's been competing at a higher level since landing a Listed contest at Kelso last March. Indian Castle is another who takes a drop in class and it was just over a year ago that he won a novices' handicap at Cheltenham. Ian Williams wouldn't be sending him here without hope and he should go well. Howard's Legacy is another with a chance in what should be a good race.
Indian Castle (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders on inside, mistake and reminders after 8th, lost place 11th, behind when blundered 13th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newcastle 3m listed hcp chs (1) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Maggio (FR) 12-1 (11-7) In touch in 4th, left 3rd from 5th, went 2nd before and not fluent 4 out, kept on and always held by winner from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Mwaleshi (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy in Jan.
Big Water (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced when mistake and left 4th 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to chase leading pair before last, no impression, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Sa Suffit (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Samingarry (FR) 40-1 (10-5) Chased leadesr to before 4 out, soon behind, tailed off, last of 17, well behind Sybarite (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct.
Knock A Hand (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Prominent, lost place halfway, pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Dolatulo (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Lackamon 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, hit and lost place 12th, chased leaders again 5 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in 4th when went right last, 4th of 8, 16l behind Lie Forrit (10-10) at Kelso 3m 2f hcap ch (2) hvy in Jan.
Howard's Legacy (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Blundered and lost prominent position 1st, soon behind, reminder after 11th, chased leaders 13th, outpaced 4 out, went 2nd after next, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, held flat, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Ballyheigue Bay (10-9) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 5-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, led 7th, made rest, drew clear before 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan beating Master Rajeem (11-1) by 8l, 5 ran.
Pinerolo 7-1 (11-1) Prominent, reminder after 3rd, lost place 4th, not fluent 6th, plugged on from 2 out, no impression, 5th of 7, 13l behind Saint Are (11-7) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
