always towards rear, tailed off before 5 out, pulled up before 4 out
chased leader, led 6 out, headed 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra
led, headed 6 out, blundered 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along before 5 out, headway before 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway before 7 out, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, pushed along before 5 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, soon headway, led 3 out, headed run-in, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened before 7 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
in touch, went 3rd before 4 out, challenged 2 out, led run-in, kept on well
in rear, pushed along before 5 out, never dangerous
held up in rear, headway before 4 out, kept on to take 2nd place run-in, no chance with winner
These veteran chases are sometimes a bit of a lottery but it was hard not to be impressed by BAND OF BLOOD (NAP) at Exeter 10 days ago and it’s no surprise to see him turned out again quickly. There is always a danger that this will come too soon after a lay-off but Richard Newland’s 10-year-old, still well treated despite a 7lb rise, was always travelling best at the Devon track and does have winning form on a quicker surface. Halo Moon has a solid profile over fences and should be approaching peak fitness. Sego Success won over course and distance two years ago off a higher mark and is running well enough to get involved but the lack of a recent run could be a problem for Ballynagour and Upswing.
Carole's Destrier 16-1 (11-6) Behind, tailed off 11th, pulled up, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Jan.
No Duffer 25-1 (10-12) Chased leader who went clear 4th, lost 2nd 7th, chased leaders, weakened 15th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Towards rear when fell 12th, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Upswing (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, weakened after 16th, 15th of 20, dist behind Tempestatefloresco (11-2) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Ballynagour (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, headway 10th, outpaced after next, soon weakened, hampered and unseated rider 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in May.
Call Me Vic (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd 9th, lost place soon after, behind after 10th, soon lost touch, tailed off 13th, pulled up soon after, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Sego Success (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Led and set good pace, headed 4 out, lost 2nd next, no chance with winner, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 6 1/2l behind Actinpieces (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Indian Castle (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 10th, outpaced 17th, well beaten when hampered 2 out, 7th of 13, 34 3/4l behind Milansbar (11-7) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Killala Quay 14-1 (11-12) Led until 12th, chased leader until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, 6th of 10, 30 1/2l behind Horatio Hornblower (11-0) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Band Of Blood (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 10th, led 4 out, drew readily clear before 2 out, comfortably, won at Exeter 3m hcp (2) hvy in Feb beating Harry Topper (11-12) by 15l, 7 ran.
Astracad (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked winner until 8th, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 22l behind Caraline (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Halo Moon 10-1 (11-8) In touch, headway to track leaders 2 out, close 3rd when stumbled on landing last, not recover, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Holly Bush Henry (12-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
