tracked leaders, headway 4 out, every chance next, ridden and one pace 2 out, no impression when lost 3rd last
mid-division, driven to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to take 3rd at last, no impression with front pair
always behind
mid-division, headway 8th, challenged after 4 out, led next, 2 lengths clear last, soon ridden, headed and no extra near finish
in touch on inside, effort when not fluent 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last
held up, always in rear
behind, driven 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure before last, never reached leaders
mid-division, driven and stayed on same pace from 3 out, never troubled leaders
in touch, challenged 3 out, ridden next, 2 lengths down in 2nd at last, rallied flat, led near finish
mid-division on inside, driven before 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression in 7th when fell last
with leaders, driven before 3 out, soon lost place, kept on same pace from next, no impression
mid-division, mistake 4 out, weakened and pulled up before next
disputed lead, led 4 out, ridden and headed next, soon weakened, hampered last
in touch on outside, driven before 3 out, weakened from next
not fluent early, mid-division, headway 4 out, driven to chase leaders next, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, soon weakened
disputed lead to 4 out, weakened from next
BILLY DUTTON, who won this last year, has failed over fences subsequently but reverted to hurdles at Uttoxeter last month and gained a convincing success. He's 6lb higher but is taken to repeat the process. Royal Player completed a double before heading for a handicap at Kempton where he looked to have too much weight but Rydon Pynes has to be considered as he was in excellent form before finding Grade One company much too hot at Cheltenham. Oscar Prairie can usually be relied on to go well in this company but may prefer more testing conditions while King Boru and Storm Alert both arrive in winning form and the former looks a progressive type who should get involved. Join The Clan looked a nice staying prospect when scoring at Market Rasen and there was something amiss when he pulled up at Towcester as he had been travelling well.
Royal Player 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 4th but pressed, pushed along and headed on long run to 2 out, no impression when lost 3rd 2 out, weakened soon after, 4th of 8, 25l behind Full Shift (11-6) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Rydon Pynes 66-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden and lost place 7th, fell next, in a race won by Very Wood (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) gd in Mar, 18 ran.
Oscar Prairie (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Raced wide and held up in rear, pushed along in modest 4th before 2 out, went modest 3rd 2 out, never any chance with leading duo, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Minellahalfcentury (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Join The Clan (IRE) 4-5fav (11-2) Tracked leaders on outside, challenged 8th, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, pulled up and dismounted before last, in a race won by Cadeau George (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
Forresters Folly 25-1 (11-5) Led after 1st, headed next, jumped slowly 6th and 7th, mistake 5 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Bucking The Trend (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Bathwick Brave (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Mid-division, struggling when mistake 7th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Fingal Bay (11-7) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
King Boru (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, soon every chance, narrow lead run, bumped near line, all out, won at Taunton 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gd in Nov beating Listen And Learn (11-6) by shd, 9 ran.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, mistake and weakened 8th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before last, in a race won by Ballinvarrig (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Billy Dutton 16-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, closed before 8th, not fluent and went 2nd 2 out, led before last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar beating Karinga Dandy (11-1) by 1 3/4l, 13 ran.
Brackloon High (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Tracked leader until after 4 out, stayed well there, led after 3 out, went right and mistake last, headed final 200 yards, no extra and lost 2nd final 120 yards, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Billy Twyford (11-5) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar.
Storm Alert 11-2 (11-0) won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Feb beating Lundy Sky (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Barton Stacey (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, challenged 9th, every chance 3 out, 4th and beaten last, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 12l behind Billy Dutton (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Super Villan 8-1 (10-9) Led, clear until not fluent 4th, headed 3 out, weakening when pecked last, 8th of 10, 13l behind Doctor Foxtrot (11-2) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Rich Buddy 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Solstice Son (10-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Jojabean (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division on inside, closed before 4th, hit 8th, weakened approaching 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Billy Dutton (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Pyleigh Lass 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, jumped left 5th, not fluent 7th, outpaced and no impression from after 3 out, 5th of 10, 10l behind Bull And Bush (11-9) at Towcester 3m (3) gs in Mar.
Georgian King 20-1 (11-5) Prominent until lost place after 9th, well beaten before 3 out, 10th of 13, well behind Billy Dutton (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Moss On The Mill 10-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway 4th, not fluent 3 out, weakened from next, 8th of 10, 26l behind Decimus (11-2) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.