held up in last pair, modest 4th at 13th, struggling when pulled up before 4 out
held up in last pair, closer 9th, 2nd at 11th, ridden before 4 out, soon held and no chance with winner
ran in snatches, led until 1st, chased winner until before 8th (water), soon pushed along, 2nd again briefly approaching 11th, last and struggling 13th, left poor 4th approaching 4 out and 3rd at the last
jumped left on occasions, led 1st, made rest, went left and brushed 7th, in control before 4 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged
tracked leading pair, 2nd before 8th (water) until 11th, chased leading pair, driven and struggling before 4 out, no chance when tired and stumbled 2 out, blundered and unseated rider at the last
Nonrunner
Silvergrove is reliable but has been climbing the weights without winning. Strollawaynow still lacks consistency while Red Devil Lads made several errors before being pulled up at Doncaster and will have to jump better to get involved. Buckhorn Tom never really travelled when well beaten at Chepstow last time but likes it here and could easily bounce back. He makes more appeal than Always Bold, though the latter has struck up a good understanding with claimer Conor Smith and is only a pound out of the handicap. BARTON HEATHER jumped well in the main when making a winning start over fences at Uttoxeter. She's made excellent strides this winter and could be a bit of value in an open race.
Silvergrove 5-2fav (10-10) Held up in touch on outside, closed 6th, led 12th, headed after next, led going well 4 out, mistake 3 out, headed and pecked slightly 2 out, shaken up before last, ridden and held flat, stayed on, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Letbeso (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
Barton Heather 5-1 (10-8) Chased leading pair until 2nd, soon steadied in touch, headway approaching 10th, 3rd before mistake 12th, led 4 out, joined when went right 2 out, kept on gamely from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mares nov hcp chas 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan beating Nosey Box (10-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
Buckhorn Tom 11-4 (10-12) Chased leader, led approaching 4th, headed 6th, chased leader, pushed along after 8th, driven along and lost 2nd before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 6, 45l behind Financial Climate (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb.
Red Devil Lads (IRE) 9-4fav (11-1) Mistakes, raced wide and led narrowly to 5th, remained prominent until lost place 11th, weakening when pulled up before next, in a race won by Champagne Rian (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Always Bold (IRE) 13-2 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, outpaced before 3 out, rallied next, led before last, soon clear, stayed on, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Jaunty Journey (11-12) by 7l, 8 ran.
Strollawaynow (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Last pair, headway chasing leaders after 2nd, mistake 5th, 3rd after 7th, driven into 2nd before 5 out, no impression 4 out, dropped to 3rd approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 8l behind Financial Climate (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb.
