tracked leader, ridden and under pressure before 3 out, outpaced and kept on at 2 out, weakened after final fence
made all, ridden and asked for effort at 3 out, extended lead before 2 out, kept on after final fence, won easily
held up, ridden and under pressure before 3 out, kept on to challenge for second before 2 out, ran on after final fence, not reach winner
CASTLE ROBIN made all at Exeter in November and beat Lord Accord by a length-and-a-quarter. The runner-up is 3lb worse off and his wins so far have come on better ground so Charlie Longsdon’s charge may well confirm the form, despite disappointing since. Geryville is 9lb out of the handicap and 8lb higher than when easily brushed aside last time at Newcastle.
Lord Accord (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Not fluent and reminder after 1st in close 3rd, pushed along before 2 out, ridden to press leaders after last, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages won going away, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Jeremy Pass (11-5) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Castle Robin (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Not always fluent, led 2nd, jumped left 3rd, headed 5th, hampered by loose horse 7th, outpaced after 5 out, weakened before next, 6th of 7, 36 1/2l behind Quick Wave (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Geryville (FR) 15-8 (10-11) Tracked leading pair, pushed along and outpaced 10th, rallied into 2nd before 4 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 3, 6 1/2l behind Court Master (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
