pulled very hard in touch, headway to lead after 3rd, soon 8 lengthes clear, not fluent 5th, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, moderate 3rd
led until after 3rd, chased clear leader, took closer order 4 out, led before next, headed before last, no extra flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 6th, went 2nd after 4 out, every chance after next, led approaching last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, weakened before 4 out, moderate 4th
tracked leader, lost place 3rd, pulled up before next
The handicapper is showing little mercy to J'Adhere and the top weight will do well to win again off his current mark. Hereford runner-up Trop Fort is also climbing the weights, despite not winning, while this company may be a little hot for Leopard Hills and he's been well beaten in his last three starts. DRAGON'S DEN was no match for easy winner Katchmore at Taunton last month but is fairly consistent and is almost certain to run up to his mark here. He gets the nod as Quarton, who unseated his rider when quietly fancied at Taunton, has since finished well beaten at Haydock while Ardkilly Rebel has proved a big disappointment.
J'Adhere (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in touch, virtually out of control and led after 3rd, soon well clear, headed before 2 out, faded last, 4th of 6, 16l behind Themilanhorse (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Mar.
Trop Fort (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Led, clear before 2 out until approaching last, headed and no extra flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Triptico (11-10) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Mar.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Behind, hampered 4th, headway 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Katchmore (11-8) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Mar.
Leopard Hills (IRE) 50-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out, 7th of 12, 31l behind Ted Spread (10-13) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Ardkilly Rebel (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, reminders 5th, soon lost place, pulled up after 6th, in a race won by Quincy Des Pictons (10-9) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Quarton (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, lost place from 5th, 5th of 6, 36l behind Kealigolane (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.