prominent to 2nd, towards rear, blundered and rider lost iron 2 out (usual 3 out), not recover and pulled up soon after
led to before 4th, soon lost place, tailed off after 2 out (usual 3 out)
prominent, blundered 5th, went 2nd after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden bypassing omitted 2 out, every chance last, kept on, held towards finish
in rear, headway 4th, driven to chase front pair before omitted 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
prominent, pressed leader after 3rd, led before next, ridden bypassing omitted 2 out, hard pressed last, edged left and held on towards finish (2nd last flight omitted)
tracked leaders, close 2nd when blundered 2 out (usual 3 out), soon driven and lost place, ridden and weakened before last
ALWAYS RESOLUTE has won Class 4 handicaps at Wetherby and Doncaster this winter and could have found the ground too soft when tackling Class 3 at Ascot in between. He can complete a double on his favoured surface as Ninepointsixthree has only ever won over timber on soft ground, including his very easy victory at Sedgefield last month. Horst won twice over hurdles in France before joining Micky Hammond but hasn't shown much in two starts over fences. Indian Opera was allowed a long lead at Musselburgh and won by 35 lengths. She didn't have much chance in a Doncaster Grade 2 next time but led for a long way and will take some pegging back.
Ninepointsixthree 3-1 (11-12) Led until 4 out, led again approaching next, drew clear after 2 out, very easily, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Flowery (11-8) by 24l, 8 ran.
Horst (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Taken to post early, keen led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, fell 2 out, at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Always Resolute 9-4fav (11-10) Raced keenly, tracked leader, stumbled 1st, led 3 out, joined last, edged left under pressure and kept on gamely run-in, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Its'afreebee (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 7 ran.
He's A Goer (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, beaten after 3 out, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind The Gipper (10-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Indian Opera 40-1 (11-0) Led, pushed along and headed on long run before 3 out, weakened soon after, 5th of 6, 29 1/4l behind Lady Buttons (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f (1) gd in Jan.
Los Cerritos (SWI) 200-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Winston C (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
