raced in 3rd, went 2nd 11th, led 5 out, headed 3 out, held when bad mistake next, no chance with winner
jumped left, waited with in last pair, went left and collided with wing at 4th, steady headway on inside before 5 out, left modest 3rd 4 out
led until 9th, lost 2nd 11th, chased leaders, weakened 5 out, left modest 4th next
held up in rear, went sharply left and unseated rider 7th
pressed leader, not fluent 3rd, led 9th, headed 5 out, dropped to 3rd and struggling when blundered and unseated rider next
held up off the pace in 4th, closer out wide on long run before 5 out, went 2nd soon after 5 out, good jump to lead 3 out, soon clear, easily
NonRunner
There is likely to be no hanging about here as CAP DU MATHAN and Stepney Causeway both like to force the pace. The former is making his chasing bow but is suited by this trip and softer ground so gets the nod. Another chasing newcomer, Nothin To Ask, is not out of this and Young Butler should also make a chaser. Fern Hill placed in three of four outings over fences last season but looks to be facing a stiff task at the weights.
Fern Hill (IRE) 15-8 (11-6) Chased winner, challenged 11th, disputing lead 15th, pushed along before 4 out, not fluent last, edged left and held flat, 2nd of 3, 1 1/4l behind Castle Robin (11-4) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Stepney Causeway 11-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, went 3rd at 4th, not fluent 7th, kept on one pace, not get on terms with leaders, 3rd of 4, 4 3/4l behind Aucunrisque (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m (3) gs in Oct.
Cap Du Mathan (FR) 11-2 (11-0) Pressed leader and keen, led after 2nd, headed 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 11, dist behind Good Risk At All (10-9) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Young Butler (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, tracked leader 2nd, led 4 out until next, led again before the last, headed run-in, rallied towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Raddon Top (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Margaret's Legacy (FR) (11-0) 3rd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Saint Patis (11-4) at Auteuil 2m 6f gs in Nov.
Nothin To Ask (IRE) 2-1 (11-7) Chased leaders on inside, not fluent 7th, 3rd and held from 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 6, 7l behind New Found Fame (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar.
Stimulating Song 9-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, mistake 3 out, headway after not fluent 2 out, went 4 lengths 2nd when mistake last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Whatsupwithyou (11-7) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
