held up in rear, headway after 4th, went 2nd off final bend, switched right after 3 out, switched left before last, led flat, stayed on
prominent until 4th, chased leaders, pushed along next, not fluent 7th, struggling in 3rd from 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up behind leaders, took keen hold, last after 4th, mistake 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
led until after 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, prominent, challenged 4th, soon led, not fluent 3 out, ridden before last, headed flat, stayed on
Grange Road ran well in his first two runs over hurdles but looked a tired horse when falling here in December, though may have benefited from a few weeks off. KYNTARA is closely matched with the Nicholls runner on collateral form so the 7lb he receives may prove decisive. Blackjack Magic has improved this season but also carries a penalty having won at Lingfield in October and the quicker surface today is an unknown. His Oscar is preferred to El Diablo of the others.
Blackjack Magic 11-2 (10-11) Held up and soon in last, closer when awkward 5th, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, plugged on in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Honneur D'Ajonc (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Grange Road (IRE) 2-1 (11-4) Led, ridden before 3 out, headed 3 out, stayed on one pace, tiring when fell last, at Chepstow 3m (3) gs in Dec.
El Diablo (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Behind, hampered 2nd, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
His Oscar (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Mid division, pushed along and weakened home turn, tailed off, 5th of 8, dist behind Carlow Farmer (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Kyntara 11-4 (11-4) Led until 4 out, pressed leader, in front again before 2 out, ridden when bad mistake and stumbled last, hung right run-in, soon headed, rallied, always held, 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind Picanha (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
