led, headed when not fluent 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on to take 3rd flat, no impression with front pair
tracked leader, led 3 out, 2 lengths clear last, driven and idled closing stages, held on neat finish
held up in rear, close up 5th, chased front pair before 4 out, ridden and effort to chase winner before 2 out, no extra before last
chased leaders, behind and outpaced after 7th, ridden after 4 out, hit next, rallied 2 out, went 2nd when not fluent last, gaining towards finish, just held
tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
Nonrunner
Hills Of Dubai is having his first run since failing to justify favouritism at Perth last June so this may rest between the two recent winners. BILLY HICKS’ victory over course and distance three weeks ago looks better form than Braw Angus’ win at Huntingdon, though the step up in trip that day clearly suited the latter, who was engaged to run at Warwick on Wednesday. Samdibien was still in front when falling two out at Fontwell in January but he’s since been pulled up at Uttoxeter.
Hills Of Dubai (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, not fluent last, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Faraway Mountain (11-0) at Perth 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Jun.
Billy Hicks 6-1 (11-2) Led until after 3rd, led again approaching 4 out, challenged when mistake last, kept on well, won at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Mar beating Be My Sea (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Samdibien (FR) 6-1 (12-1) With leaders and keen, pushed along before 6th, soon lost place, weakened quickly before 4 out, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Braw Angus 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase front pair after next, close up when left 2nd at last, led flat, kept on, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Far From Defeat (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Gilly Grace 40-1 (11-3) Led until 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along and one pace from 2 out, 5th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Master Burbidge (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Quarry Wizard (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, lost place before 6th, well beaten 3 out, 14th of 17, dist behind Daytime Ahead (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Mar.