jumped well, made all, drew readily clear from 3 out, in no danger after, easily
held up in touch, lost place 11th, behind and struggling when fell 13th
chased leaders on inside, lost place when not fluent 9th, struggling in rear after 11th, soon lost touch and pulled up
in touch on outside, outpaced in modest 3rd when hit 5 out, no chance with clear pair after
soon behind, not fluent 4th, reminder after 6th, headway 11th, mistake and lost place next, no chance in modest 4th from 5 out, tailed off
chased winner throughout, clear 2nd from 5 out, ridden after 3 out, no chance after
WISHING AND HOPING is clear of these at the weights despite carrying a penalty for an earlier win at Taunton. He’s finished runner-up at Haydock subsequently and looks the one to beat. Winning pointer Waterloo Warrior has yet to score under Rules though went close at Leicester recently and should have the edge over Craggaknock while both Light Flicker and Absainte arrive on the back of point-to-point victories with the former the least exposed over regulation fences.
Wishing And Hoping (IRE) 4-6fav (12-1) Restrained in front, joined from 4 out, ridden after 3 out, headed just after last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Alcala (11-12) at Haydock 2m 6f (3) hvy in Feb.
Craggaknock 25-1 (11-10) Held up, took keen hold, closed 5th, well beaten 3rd 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, dist behind Minella Rocco (12-0) at Wetherby 3m (6) sft in Feb.
Geordie 8-1 (12-0) Prsd ldrs to 14, 5th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Matthew Man (12-0) at Friars Haugh 3m mdn gs in Jan.
Light Flicker (IRE) 4-7fav (12-1) Jnd ldr aft 12; led aft 15; rdn out, won at Eaton Hall Farm 3m mdn gd in Nov beating Double Dipper (12-0) by 20l, 3 ran.
Waterloo Warrior (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Jumped right at times, led early, chased leaders, not much room 9th, lost place after 12th, plugged on from omitted last, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Risk And Roll (12-0) at Leicester 2m 7f (5) hvy in Feb.
Absainte (FR) 4-6fav (11-10) Led 7; drew clr 3 out; unchall, won at Brocklesby Park 3m gs in Feb beating Squirrel Esquire (12-0) by 15l, 7 ran.
