in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
keen in rear, headway 2 out, weakened approaching last
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace
led, hit and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along 2 out, never a factor
in touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, weakened next
raced wide held up, hit 2nd, not fluent 5th, pushed along and headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 2 out, ridden and ran on
raced green tracked leaders, short of room after 1st and soon lost place towards rear, pushed along 4 out, some late headway
raced wide close up, ridden and every chance 3 out, kept on one pace
close up, lost place 3rd, in rear 5th
NonRunner
Homer had useful form on the Flat in France but appears to be one of Nicky Henderson’s lesser lights. However, he did win a conditionals’ handicap at Kempton when starting favourite and is only 5lb higher here. Ashutor has been raised the same amount for winning a Catterick maiden and he’s already been beaten in three handicaps but Escapability remains open to plenty of improvement and makes more appeal than stablemate Nebuchadnezzar. Eskendash and MOVIE LEGEND are probably better known as chasers nowadays but the latter can race off a 7lb lower mark back over hurdles, less Maxime Tissier’s claim. The 10-year-old has plenty of winning form around here and it would be no surprise to see him go close. Imperil won a maiden here in January on his first start for the yard but this is a lot more competitive.
Ashutor (FR) 3-10fav (11-2) Close up, disputed lead on outside before 4th, led going well 2 out, drew clear on bit between last 2, unextended, won at Catterick 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb beating Cuban Sun (10-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Eskendash (USA) 18-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, effort after 3 out, kept on same pace, last of 3, 6l behind Greaneteen (11-8) at Fakenham 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Movie Legend 7-1 (10-8) Held up mid-division, headway before 6 out, ridden before last, kept on, 4th of 11, 9 3/4l behind Western Miller (10-11) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Barman (FR) 10-3 (11-2) Led, keen, headed 2 out, weakened, 5th of 6, 17 1/4l behind Poppy Kay (11-4) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Roseriver Has (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Last pair, never a factor, tailed off, 15th of 17, dist behind Downtown Getaway (11-8) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Escapability (IRE) 6-5fav (11-5) In touch, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Shall We Go Now (11-5) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Seaborough (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in last pair, headway 3f out, ridden and outpaced over 2f out, rallied inside final furlong, never reached leaders, 4th of 8, 2 1/2l behind Cool Possibility (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (4) Slow in Feb.
All My Love (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer on inside after 4 out, ridden chasing leaders next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Hawthorn Cottage (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Nebuchadnezzar (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along in close 2nd at 6th, ridden and weakened on long run between last 2, 7th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Eddiemaurice (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Homer (IRE) 10-3fav (11-4) Raced keenly, chased leader, mistake 1st, led next, narrowly headed 2 out, led again narrowly and hit last, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Vision Clear (11-12) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Imperil (FR) 15-8fav (10-7) Tracked leader, led 3 out, clear soon after 2 out, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Volunteer (11-5) by 9 1/2l, 9 ran.
Black Abbey (FR) 3-1jfav (10-12) Led to before 4th, with leader, driven to lead again briefly before 2 out, ridden and weakened between last 2, 7th of 10, 27l behind Extreme Force (11-4) at Catterick 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Waterproof 33-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along and weakened quickly on long run before 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Solo (11-3) at Kempton 2m (1) gs in Feb.