tracked leaders on inside, headway to challenge 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden, hard pressed flat, stayed on well towards finish
led or disputed lead until went on at 10th, headed 13th, rallied to lead again narrowly after 5 out, headed next, kept on same pace, no chance with leading pair from 2 out
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, 6th and in touch when fell 9th
led or disputed lead to 10th, tracked leader, led 13th, headed after 5 out, outpaced next, weakened 2 out, lost 4th last
tracked leaders, mistake 4th, ridden after 5 out, led narrowly next, headed narrowly 2 out, kept on to press winner and every chance until no extra towards finish
mistake 1st, held up behind in touch, mistake 8th(water), headway into 5th and in touch when fell heavily 12th
held up in touch on outside, lost place 5th, hampered 9th, soon under pressure, weakend and pulled up before 13th
behind, mistake and dropped to rear 3rd, struggling 12th, stayed on to go moderate 4th at last, never near leaders
Theophrastus was rated 122 over fences in November but had slipped an incredible 24lb when scooting up in a Folkestone handicap a couple of weeks ago. He was well supported to do so that day and still looks on a fair mark despite an 11lb rise. Take A Mile is a fast ground specialist who has only won once over fences but has run some good races in defeat. Picture In The Sky has every chance if getting round safely but that's been his problem recently and Lady De La Vega may prove a better bet as she gained a comfortable victory at Chepstow on only her second start over fences, though that was on soft ground. TARABELA was well beaten on her chasing debut but produced a surprise when beating a decent field at Towcester where she jumped very well. With further progress likely, she looks the one to beat.
Theophrastus (IRE) 3-1fav (11-10) Close up, tracked leader 4th, led 6th, unchallenged after, clear 3 out, hit last, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd beating Behind The Scenes (10-13) by 10l, 7 ran.
Days of Pleasure (IRE) 11-4 (10-7) Held up, plugged on but no chance from 10th, 4th of 7, well behind Neil Harvey (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chase (5) gd.
Take A Mile (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Took keen hold, chased leaders, chased winner from 10th, ridden and chance from 3 out, stayed on same pace and no real impression flat, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Ere Alfie (10-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Picture In The Sky (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders on outside, driven 13th, kept on same pace under pressure from 3 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 11l behind Honourable Arthur (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Lady De La Vega (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leader until bad mistake aand lost place 5th, switched to outside after next, ridden 8th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, 4th of 7, 23l behind Copsehill Girl (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Tarabela 28-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, lost place when mistake 7th and next, challenged 4 out, left in lead next, clear when slipped and pecked next, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Mrs Fawlty (11-1) by 9l, 6 ran.
El Diego (IRE) 18-1 (11-8) Mid-division, reminders after 3rd, ridden before 7th, soon behind, disputing poor 6th and no chance when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Pere Blanc (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 18 ran.
Lions In Law 9-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 10th, ridden and weakened after 5 out, last of 6, well behind Derawar (11-4) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
