led, frequently jumped right, headed 11th, rallied 3 out, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, under pressure 13th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off next, modest 3rd
tracking leader when fell 2nd
in touch, frequently jumped right, went 2nd at 10th, led next, strongly challenged after 2 out, stayed on well
chasing leaders when fell 12th
Nonrunner
Macklin ran out when fancied to complete a hat-trick between the flags at Thurlow last month and has a bit to prove now. Frankie Anson was well beaten when pulled up in that race but there are possibilities about Flaming Gorge, though he unshipped his rider at the first at Towcester last month and hasn't really fired since joining Fleur Hawes. WORKING TITLE was clear of the third when chasing home a couple of decent hunter chasers at Warwick last month. He doesn't win very often but this could be his day as Viking Splash appears to be going backwards.
Flaming Gorge (IRE) Evensfav (11-9) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Soulard (11-7) at Towcester 2m 3f hts chs (6) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
Champtho (FR) 16-1 (12-7) Prom til wknd 3 out, 5th of 9, 25l behind What A Laugh (12-7) at Cottesmore 3m ptp gd in Mar.
Frankie Anson (IRE) 20-1 (12-7) In tch to 11; to & pu last, in a race won by Bach To The Wall (12-0) at Thurlow 3m ptp gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Macklin (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) Cl up til blun 3 out; rn out nxt, in a race won by Bach To The Wall (12-0) at Thurlow 3m ptp gd in Mar, 10 ran.
Working Title (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in last pair, headway 7th, close up 10th, went 3rd approaching 13th, ridden after 3 out, stayed on same pace approachiing next, not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Bold Addition (12-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Mar.
Viking Splash (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led early and prominent, slow 8th and ridden along before halfway, dropped to 10th approaching 4 out and no threat in straight, 8th of 13, 49l behind Equus Maximus (11-7) at Thurles 3m hts chs in Jan.
