took keen hold, held up in touch, headway to 2nd 5th, led next, made rest, clear 2 out, ridden out from last, stayed on well
soon settled in rear, went 3rd 6th, outpaced fom 11th, no chance after, tailed off
soon in last pair, losing touch when blundered 8th, behind and pulled up after 11th
led 2nd, headed approaching 4th, chased leader until mistake next, regained 2nd at 9th, ridden and no impression on winner from 2 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd, led approaching next, headed 6th, lost 2nd 9th, driven and one pace from 4 out
led, jumped slowly 1st, jumped slowly again and headed 2nd, lost place next, pushed along before 6th, driven and trying to rally when slow again 11th, soon behind and pulled up before next
Nonrunner
Victors Serenade has won his last two starts at Ffos Las and Rachael Green's allowance halves the second of his penalties. He still has a bit of scope but this looks a good opportunity for ROALCO DE FARGES to get his head back in front. A winner at Newbury in November, Philip Hobbs' charge ran well for a long way in last month's Midlands Grand National and this is a lot less competitive. Minella Stars keeps knocking on the door but is beginning to run out of chances and lacks an extra gear while both Super Directa and Tullow Boy have a bit to find on the form book and lack a recent run.
Roalco De Farges (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, mistake 10th, not fluent 11th or 12th, headway 13th, not fluent 16th, outpaced from 5 out, went well held 3rd 2 out until blundered last, weakened flat, 5th of 16, 28l behind Master Overseer (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Super Directa (GER) 7-2fav (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 44l behind Tyrone House (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Tullow Boy 14-1 (11-0) In touch in 4th, chased leaders before 7th, went 2nd before 9th, led and not fluent last, kept on well, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov chs (4) hvy in Dec beating Saphire Night (10-7) by 7l, 6 ran.
Leg Iron (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Close up, fell 12th, in a race won by Problema Tic (11-7) at Kempton 3m nov chs (3) gd in Mar, 4 ran.
Minella Stars (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Led, ridden along approaching 8th, headed 5 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 5, 5l behind My Boy Paddy (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chase (4) sft in Mar.
My Friend Sandy 12-1 (10-12) Led 1st, headed approaching 14th, weakening when blundered and unseated rider next, in a race won by Silver Kate (10-11) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Feb '11, 5 ran.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, good headway 6th, joined leaders 8th, led 11th, jumped left from 5 out, clear before 4 out, very easily, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar beating Politeo (11-5) by 11l, 9 ran.
