tracked leaders and keen, fell 6 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, kept on, driven out
led, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, blundered and unseated rider 2 out
in rear, in touch, went 4th before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, chased winner before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on towards finish
Wessex King could figure having bounced back from a poor run at Ludlow to finish fourth at Taunton. Restezen D'Armor is probably best watched, however, as his stable is struggling for winners at present and Montoya's Son was pulled up at Newcastle last time though should be happier over this shorter trip. Midnight Sail has been well beaten in all three starts over fences so we'll stick with TIME OUT. James Ewart's nine-year-old rattled up a hat-trick on soft ground in December and January but also has form on this quicker surface and may still be on a decent mark. He makes more appeal than stablemate Best Lover.
Restezen D'armor (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outer before 9th ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 12, 19l behind Quicuyo (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Time Out (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Tracked leader, challenged 2 out, led soon after, ridden between last 2, drew 5 lengths clear when blundered last, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Polar Gunner (11-9) by 6l, 5 ran.
Wessex King (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Prominent, led after 2nd, mistake next, headed 6th, outpaced and no impression before 3 out, stayed on flat, 4th of 10, 13l behind Renard (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Montoya's Son (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, weakened before 6 out, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Morgan Be (11-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Midnight Sail 8-1 (11-0) Held up, went 3rd 9th, hit next, no chance with winner, hit 2 out, demoted to 4th flat, 4th of 5, 22l behind Sanctuaire (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
Best Lover (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Tracked leader early, chased leaders, weakened after 5 out, 7th of 8, well behind Lord Villez (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.