midfield, given reminder before 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, switched right and ridden to challenge before 2 out, no extra approaching last
raced keenly, chased leaders, not fluent 4 out, faded approaching 2 out
held up in midfield, headway to chase leaders 4th, went second before 4 out, pushed along to lead next, kept on well from 2 out
held up, headway to chase leaders 4 out, ridden 2 out, weakened after last
held up in touch, mistake 9th, headway 11th, hit 4 out, struggling from next
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on but no match for winner
led, joined 3rd, headed 5th, mistakes 6th and 8th, not fluent 11th, lost place next, weakened before 3 out, eventually completed
tracked leader, disputed lead 3rd, led 5th, headed before 3 out, kept on one pace from next
NonRunner
Winning point-to-pointer Red Nika, runner-up four times in six starts over hurdles, makes his debut over fences. Dual hurdles winner Slanelough has now had 15 starts over fences without winning while Bootlegger has done better over further. Winning bumper and hurdler SMITH'S BOY was making his chasing debut when falling when beaten in a three-runner race at Plumpton in November. He was taking on better opposition than he faces here and has been given plenty of time to get over that mishap. Rob The Getaway has run well in his last two starts at Huntingdon and has place prospects but Champagne Noir has been a beaten favourite three times since landing a novices' handicap at Huntingdon.
Red Nika (FR) 13-8fav (11-2) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 3 out, pushed along and disputed lead 2 out, ridden approaching last, headed after last, no extra final 100yds, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Golden Gift (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m 1f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Slanelough (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-12) Led until fell 5th, at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Bootlegger (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner 3 out, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 8, 7 1/2l behind One More Fleurie (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Smith's Bay 5-2 (11-4) Led, headed and weakened quickly before 2 out where fell, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Cilaos Glace (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Jack Valentine (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
On A Promise (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Champagne Noir (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Led until awkward 5th, went left and reminder next, led after 8th, headed next, led after 12th, headed 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 5, 19 3/4l behind On A Promise (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Rob The Getaway (IRE) 11-4fav (11-6) Led, pushed along before 2 out, went left 2 out, went left again hit last and headed, no extra run-in, 2nd of 7, 7 1/2l behind Go Steady (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Meteorite 16-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden 3 out, no extra last, 7th of 8, 17 3/4l behind Ginistrelli (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
