held up in touch, hit 2nd, led approaching 3 out, shaken up before last, ridden, headed flat, soon slightly checked, stayed on towards finish, always held
in touch, raced keenly, lost place before not fluent 3rd, effort approaching 2 out, soon no impression
patiently ridden off the pace, headway after 3 out, went 2nd last, ridden to lead flat, edged left, ran on
in touch, not fluent 2nd, pushed along after 4th, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, raced keenly, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, in touch 4th, driven along after 5th, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway from 3 out, no impression, blundered last
mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden when not much room on inside and switched right before last, weakened from last
in touch, lost place after 2nd, pushed along 3rd, mistake 4th, soon weakened
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, moved closer when not fluent 5th, went 2nd from 3 out, ridden, hung left approaching last, one pace
held up, behind, headway after 3 out, went 4th briefly before last, soon weakened
mid-division, pushed along after 5th, mistake 3 out, soon struggling
mid-division, headway 4th, close up 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, losing touch after 5th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, shuffled back after 2nd, headway approaching 2 out, weakened before hit last
led, ridden, headed approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 2 out, weakened before hit last
mid-division, headway when blundered 5th, close up on outside 2 out, weakened well before last
held up in rear, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened
chased leader, jumped right 2nd, steadily lost place, weakened approaching 5th, tailed off
in touch, not fluent 5th, soon driven, weakened 3 out
prominent, slightly hampered 2nd, hit 4th, soon driven, weakened after next
Nonrunner
Ashkazar was so impressive at Sandown at the weekend and he is fancied to snatch the bonus on offer by following up today. Grand Schelm, Crack Away Jack and River Liane spearhead the challenge from the rest. The last named picks up a 4lb penalty for an impressive victory at Leopardstown nine days ago and is attractively weighted on just 11st-1lb. His trainer, Thomas Cooper, has a live contender on his hands and it will be interesting if the Irish euros arrive to back up his challenge. Crack Away Jack is steadily improving and gained a deserved success at Sandown last time out. This is obviously tougher but he is going the right way and has little to find to get involved in the thick of the action. Grand Schlem ran an absolute blinder to finish second in a Grade 2 hurdle last time out and will be a big threat if dishing out a repeat dose. That form looks head and shoulders above most of the others and the French raider looks the best alternative to the selection. Chapoturgeon and Squadron are others that catch the eye as future prospects and are also worth noting for signs of support, while Zanir is a lively outsider to consider for a small each-way interest. However, it was the manner of Askkazar¿s victory at Sandown as much as anything, that suggested he is peaking at the right time for this. David Pipe won the race with Gaspara last season and, as was the case with her, the new master of Pond House is taken to enhance his Festival haul with what appears to be another well executed plan.
Ashkazar (FR) 10-3fav (10-12) Made all, pushed clear approaching last, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd beating Fredensborg (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 22 ran.
Chapoturgeon (FR) 11-10fav (10-7) Made all, clear 2 out, went badly left last, pushed out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Jan beating Pagano (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Crack Away Jack 9-4 (10-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, led approaching last, ran on well, readily, won at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Feb beating Squadron (11-8) by 7l, 9 ran.
Squadron 15-8fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed approaching last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Crack Away Jack (10-12) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) gd in Feb.
Mamlook (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led after 1st, headed 4 out, soon driven, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 15, 22l behind Doubly Guest (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Prince Erik 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, 12th 4 out, no impression under pressure straight, 12th of 24, 20l behind Take Your Mark (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp hdl 0-140 gs in Feb.
Thousand Stars (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway from 2 out, ridden to go moderate 5th and kept on without threatening from before last, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Personal Column (11-0) at Leopardstown 2m 4yo hdl Grd 2 (1) gs in Feb.
Indian Spring (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, in touch 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 9, 20l behind Beau Michael (11-3) at Fairyhouse 2m juv nov hdl Grd 2 gs in Feb.
Chord 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 5th, strongly challenged from 2 out, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Songe (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Grand Schlem (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Behind, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders, stayed on well flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Pigeon Island (11-9) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Zanir (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 12l behind Binocular (11-5) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Harry Tricker 6-5 (10-7) In touch, headway to track leaders 6th, led 2 out, mistake last, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb beating Star of Angels (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Siege Of Ennis (IRE) 4-1fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, headway to 3rd before 4th, close 4th entering straight, challenged 2 out, ridden in 3rd and no extra before last, weakened run-in, 5th of 16, 4 1/2l behind Fen Game (10-7) at Naas 2m hcp hdl 81-123 gs in Feb.
Bayonyx (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Led, headed and not fluent approaching last, soon no extra, 4th of 7, 7l behind Serabad (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4yo nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Metaphoric (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Always prominent, reminder approaching 2 out, led last, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Feb beating Prideus (11-5) by 2l, 16 ran.
Hypnotic Vibes (IRE) 8-1 (10-6) With leader, ridden to lead 3 out, mistake last, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Jan beating Prince Vector (10-0) by a nk, 13 ran.
Sainte Kadette (FR) 5-6fav (11-0) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 2nd of 7, 25l behind Working Title (11-5) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
River Liane (FR) 5-1 (10-7) In touch, 7th halfway, smooth headway to lead after 2 out, drew clear straight, very easily, won at Leopardstown 2m hdl gs beating Made In Taipan (11-12) by 6l, 15 ran.
Dal Cais (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, 9th halfway, no impression from before 3 out, kept on one pace, 10th of 20, 34l behind Dani California (11-2) at Down Royal 2m mdn hdl hvy in Feb.
Western Point (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Made all, clear from 3rd, reduced advantage before 3 out, ridden along straight, strongly pressed before last, stayed on strongly, won at Gowran Park 2m mdn hdl sft in Feb beating Sebadee (11-2) by 7l, 20 ran.
Sivota (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Led and clear, keen hold, hit 4th, strongly pressed and headed before straight, soon no impression, kept on same pace, 2nd of 22, 6l behind Quevega (11-2) at Punchestown 2m mdn hdl gs in Feb.
Silmi 50-1 (10-1) In touch, reminders after 3rd, weakened after 3 out, 16th of 22, 28l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
Mr Crystal (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) In touch, led 3 out, clear approaching next, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3/4l behind La Vecchia Scuola (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Callisto Moon 33-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 22, 12l behind Ashkazar (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gd.
