2nd or 3rd from 1st, challenged 12th, led before 5 out, inconvenienced by loose horse 4 out and when not fluent 3 out, clear next, reduced lead final 100 yards, always going to hold on
led until jumped right and unseated rider 1st
2nd or 3rd from 1st, challenged 5 out, ridden before 3 out, no impression 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra last
in touch in rear, not always fluent, beaten 5 out, weakened 3 out
left in lead 1st, headed before 5 out, soon outpaced, mistake and rallied 2 out, stayed on flat, closed on winner, no impression
Nonrunner
Things didn’t go to plan with MISSED APPROACH in a Grade 2 at Wetherby last time but he’d beaten a subsequent winner with something to spare at Lingfield earlier and this may be a more suitable test of stamina. Mystical Knight didn’t fire in a Listed race at Warwick last time and is better judged on an earlier win on soft going at Hereford. He’s another who will appreciate this drop in class but all of Rock The Kasbah’s form is over shorter trips and Nesterenko has only ventured beyond 2m2f once before when tailed off at Hereford.
Rock The Kasbah (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) In touch when blundered badly and lost place 4th, never really travelled or jumped with any fluency after, rallied into 5th after 4 out, weakened next, left poor 4th 2 out, 4th of 8, 28 3/4l behind Otago Trail (11-12) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Missed Approach (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 3rd to 7th, lost place and reminder after 11th, outpaced after 5 out, left 4th next, blundered 3 out, took moderate 3rd 2 out, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 6, 29l behind Baywing (11-0) at Wetherby 3m (1) sft in Feb.
Mystical Knight 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders on outside, not much room when pecked 11th, lost place next, weakened 13th, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 3m lst (1) sft in Jan.
Nesterenko (GER) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 10th, outpaced 12th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Charmix (10-12) at Hereford 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Swincombe Scorchio 150-1 (10-12) Raced wide, held up in last pair, outpaced 10th, no chance after, left remote 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Gala Ball (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f (3) sft in Feb.
Oscars Way (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Towards rear, weakened before 17th, left remote 4th from 2 out, 4th of 10, dist behind Jack Snipe (10-1) at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
