in rear, in 4th before 4 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression
always towards rear, pulled up before 2 out
made all, kept on well before last
tracked winner until lost place before 5 out, pulled up
held up towards rear, soon in rear and reminders, jumped badly left 2 out
tracked leaders, chased winner before 5 out, no extra from last
mid-division, went 2nd before 4 out, one pace in 3rd before last
Oak Vintage has won at Kelso and Catterick this season but may struggle to overcome another 8lb rise, despite Ross Chapman’s claim. SWING HARD (NAP) has already won twice over these fences and wasn’t beaten far at Musselburgh last time when the first three pulled well clear. The in-form winner followed up over hurdles last week and Sue Smith’s charge looks to have dropped to a fair mark. Until Winning and Granville Island both won last time but have more on their plate here off higher marks. Top Cat Henry will have needed his comeback run at Kelso but his victory last season came in a hunter chase.
Until Winning (FR) 9-1 (12-1) Held up in rear, closed 3rd, challenged 3 out, soon led and hung left, ridden out flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Midnight Monty (12-0) by 2l, 8 ran.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Took keen hold early, held up in last pair, closer after 4th, headway on inside into 4th place before hit 2 out, no impression, lost 4th post, 5th of 7, 12 1/2l behind Un Guet Apens (10-13) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Granville Island (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Soon led, headed after 1st, tracked leaders, 2nd again 3 out, closed approaching last, led flat, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Timon's Tara (10-12) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Swing Hard (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Led, headed before 4 out, one pace in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Nefyn Bay (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Road To Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Always behind, weakened from 8th, tailed off, pulled up after 4 out, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Mahlerdramatic (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) With leaders, mistake 7th, lost place when not fluent 5 out, ridden and behind from next, plugged on to take modest 4th near finish, 4th of 8, 23l behind The Last But One (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-11) Made all, kept on strongly from 2 out, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Peppay Le Pugh (11-0) by 7l, 5 ran.
