tracked leaders, lost place 8th, pushed along 3 out, weakened next, tailed off
in rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
led, 5 lengths clear 3rd, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last
tracked leader until 10th, tracked leader again 12th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and ran on
towards rear, progress 8th, headway to press leader 10th until blundered and nearly unseated rider 12th, rallied to chase winner approaching last when pecked on landing kept on one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
CAP DU NORD (NAP) is worth sticking with in his current mood. Christian Williams’ six-year-old has won his last two at Sedgefield with any amount in hand so shouldn’t be fazed by carrying a penalty. Nobel Leader has also won his last two but has been hit with an 8lb rise, though has been lightly raced for his age. Lord In Red has joined the stable of the selection but has limited experience over fences so is best watched and Well Smitten is hard to catch right. Un Beau Roman seems to have gone backwards and Viens Chercher has a lengthy absence to overcome.
Viens Chercher (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, reminders 6th, outpaced before 5 out, tailed off and pulled up, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Lord In Red (GER) 7-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into 4th before last, kept on same pace run-in, 3rd of 8, 10 1/4l behind Denwork (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f Yielding in Jan.
Well Smitten (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) Held up, headway 8th, ridden after 11th, slipped badly on last bend and went wide, rallied when not much room and pecked 4 out, soon switched left, not fluent and weakened 2 out, last of 5, 25 1/4l behind Night Of Sin (11-6) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Feb.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 9-4jfav (10-11) Disputed lead, led 9th, made rest, driven clear when mistake last, ridden out flat, kept on, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Mar beating The Paddy Pie (11-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Nobel Leader (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) In touch, jumped left in places, took keen hold, led after 3 out, ran on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Feb beating Astracad (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 5 ran.
Un Beau Roman (FR) 15-2 (10-5) Held up in rear, gained a place at 8th, pushed along and no impression in 6th before 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Another Crick (11-6) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
