led until 10th, led 12th, bumped 3 out, headed next, not clear run and switched right before last, rallied flat, led towards finish
prominent, challenged 9th, led next, not fluent and headed 12th, close up when not fluent 3 out, beaten next, one pace
soon last, tailed off when slow 4 out
handy on outside, ridden 12th, outpaced 3 out, no impression on front pair from next, one pace
tracked leaders on inside, jumped right 3rd, not fluent next, challenging when jumped left and bumped 3 out, hung left thereafter, led 2 out, a couple of lengths ahead last, headed towards finish
VERNI, three times a winner over hurdles and runner-up in last season's Martin Pipe at Cheltenham, made a promising start over fences when only succumbing on the run-in at Exeter last month and should get off the mark over the bigger obstacles. De Dollar Man has to concede him 6lb having won a handicap on the latter track before failing to land the odds at Wetherby. Cracking Find is another carrying extra for a victory in a novices' handicap at Newcastle, though he's failed to build on that in slightly better company. Solid Strike, four times a winner between the flags, was beaten a long way at Southwell last month while Scorpio was a long way last of three at Ayr.
Cracking Find (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Led, headed 2nd, ridden before 2 out, one pace in 3rd place, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Dresden (12-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
De Dollar Man (IRE) 4-5fav (11-6) Tracked winner until before 4 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on and held run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 3/4l behind Hogan's Height (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Scorpo (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) In rear and tracked leaders, no impression before 4 out, last of 3, dist behind Looksnowtlikebrian (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f (3) hvy in Feb.
Solid Strike 33-1 (10-12) Always last, never a factor, tailed off, last of 5, 32 1/2l behind Two Swallows (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) sft in Feb.
Verni (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Left tracking leader 1st, led 6th, clear after next until 8th, headed 3 out, left in narrow lead again 2 out, headed after last, ridden and no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Allysson Monterg (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (3) hvy in Feb.
