not that fluent, held up, well in touch 4th, lost place 8th, well behind after 4 out, no impression after
tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 15th, outpaced 4 out, rallied from 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
led until after 1st, prominent, led 6th, headed next, ridden 15th, led 4 out, clear flat, stayed on
led after 1st, headed 6th, led next, headed 4 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, took keen hold, well in touch 4th, not fluent 7th, every chance 4 out, weakened from 2 out
started slowly, behind, headway on outside form 12th, ridden and stayed on one pace from after 4 out
in rear, in touch 4th, not fluent 11th, pecked 13th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
Most of these have been in good form between the flags. Alex Edwards has steered Battle Dust to his two recent victories and his experience could count here while Chris Pimlott's Duhallow Tornado has won three on the bounce, including a very impressive victory at Brocklesby last month. Greensalt gained his fifth victory in nine starts between the flags at Dunscombe Park and will get a good ride from William Easterby while the ex-Irish Just Cause has done well since moving to James Owen. FOXCUB won five times over hurdles before a spell between the flags and was very impressive on his hunter chase debut at Fakenham last month, drawing right away from his rivals under Emma Yardley. A repeat performance should be good enough for this.
Foxcub (IRE) 11-4 (12-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, 2nd from 8th, led 13th, asserting when jumped left 4 out and 3 out, soon well clear, not fluent last, easily, won at Fakenham 3m (6) sft in Feb beating West Lake (12-0) by 25l, 5 ran.
Battle Dust (IRE) 4-6fav (12-0) (cp) hdwy 13; went 2nd aft 3 out; led last; all out, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m sft in Feb beating Distime (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Duhallow Tornado (IRE) 13-8fav (12-0) A.p; led 3 out; stayed on wl, won at Brocklesby Park 3m gs in Feb beating Dynamic Island (12-0) by 20l, 7 ran.
Greensalt (IRE) 4-5fav (11-7) (tt) a.p; led 3 out; drew clr bet last 2; stayed on wl, won at Duncombe Park 3m gs in Feb beating Victor Hewgo (11-7) by 10l, 7 ran.
Just Cause (IRE) 4-7fav (12-0) Held up in tch; led 15; sn clr; easy, won at Higham 3m gd in Jan beating One Fine Morning (12-0) by 20l, 8 ran.
Saint Breiz (FR) 12-1 (12-0) Bhnd til stdy hdwy 12; went 2nd aft 3 out; led app nxt; hdd bet last 2; no ch w wnr, 2nd of 9, 8l behind You Too Pet (12-0) at Duncombe Park 3m gs in Feb.
Shantou Prince (IRE) 8-1 (12-5) Prom to 12; t.o, 10th of 13, dist behind Grandturgeon (12-5) at Sheriff Hutton 3m gs in Jan.