held up in rear, tailed off from 4 out, pulled up 2 out
took keen hold in mid-division, weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, jumped slowly 3rd, not fluent next, mistake 3 out, led next, soon clear, easily
raced keenly, held up in touch, hit 5th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last
slowly away, behind, headway 3 out, never nearer
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, kept on approaching last, no chance with winner
led until headed 2 out, soon weakened
slowly away, behind, under pressure 4 out, tailed off when eased 2 out
always behind, awkward 4 out, soon beaten
This is a competitive race to close the card but Donaldson looks to have strong claims and he is nominated over Wee Charlie Castle and Book Of Facts. Book Of Facts returns to this sphere after a spin on the level last time, and he looks to have plenty in his favour. He disappointed when last seen over hurdles, but that was on heavy ground and this faster surface will be much more to his liking. He remains open to plenty of improvement and he should run well. Wee Charlie Castle is interesting here as he has some decent form on the flat and he shaped with promise in a maiden hurdle at Catterick back in November. He should learn plenty from that experience and he could be capable of going close. However, neither possess the class of Donaldson who should have too much for his rivals today. This former German Listed winner on the flat is eased in grade today and at this level it will be a surprise if he is beaten with conditions in his favour.
Bedizen 5-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, 14th of 17, 49l behind Little Bob (11-5) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Byron Bay 80-1 (11-2) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Starting Point (11-12) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Donaldson (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, driven to challenge 3 out, hit next, soon weakened, last of 9, 27l behind Pigeon Island (11-9) at Kempton 2m nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Feb.
Laconicos (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Mid-division, lost place before 3 out, 8th of 14, 24l behind Cortinas (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf.
Wee Charlie Castle (IRE) 18-1 (11-3) Held up, headway after 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 13, 15l behind Domino Dancer (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Weststern (GER) 14-1 (11-1) Prominent, took keen hold, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 14, 40l behind Kingscape (11-1) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Book of Facts (FR) 7-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, blundered 5th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 14l behind Maraafeq (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Schelm (GER) 9-4 (8-10) Slowly into stride, held up in rear, keen, headway over 2f out, stayed on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Motarjm (9-5) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Feb (Flat).
