led until after 2nd, close 3rd, jumped slowly 5th, led again before 4 out, joined 2 out, headed and not pace of winner run-in, stayed on for clear 2nd
tracked leader until led after 2nd, pushed along and headed before 4 out, lost 2nd 4 out, no extra in modest 3rd, weakened into 4th run-in
tracked leading pair, went 2nd after 2nd until next, remained handy, went 2nd again 4 out, upsides going best 2 out, quickened to lead run-in, soon clear
never going well in rear, mistake 3rd, awkward 8th, pushed along after 13th, soon left behind, tailed off
tracked leaders, 4th and outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next, went left 2 out, went remote 3rd run-in
NonRunner
Skandiburg won four times over hurdles but is jumping fences late in life. Bellatrixsa, last seen winning the Chester Cup consolation on the Flat last spring, is more interesting as she has also won four times over the smaller obstacles and is only six. First Lord De Cuet ran an excellent race at Ffos Las following a lengthy absence but Coconut Splash took a backward step when pulled up at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day and is now 0-8 over fences. MONBEG GENIUS ran better than the final result suggests on his fencing bow and won easily next time at Newcastle. He may be worth following but Lord Of Kerak will probably be better for today’s experience.
First Lord De Cuet (FR) 28-1 (10-5) Raced out wide tracking leader, led 4 out, ridden over 2 lengths ahead when not fluent 2 out, reduced lead before the last, headed and not pace of winner run-in, kept on, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Complete Unknown (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Bellatrixsa (IRE) 13-8fav (9-4) Slow into stride, pushed along to soon track leaders, chased leader 2f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on, won at Chester 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in May beating Dance To Paris (9-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Monbeg Genius (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Made all, led narrowly, shaken up and forged clear 3 out, not fluent last, pushed out run-in, readily, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Ladronne (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 7 ran.
Skandiburg (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, jumped slowly and pushed along 6th, outpaced turning in, modest headway run-in, 5th of 14, 17l behind Abuffalosoldier (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Lord Of Kerak 13-2 (12-0) Close up, led narrowly 5th, headed 7th, ridden after 2 out, chased winner approaching last, switched right run-in, kept on but no impression, 2nd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Milan Bridge (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Coconut Splash (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Prominent, mistake 2nd, lost place next, struggling 11th, mistake and behind next, pulled up before 4 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
