mid-division, slow 4th, headway when mistake 3 out, never on terms
always behind, mistake 4 out, beaten next
behind, headway to chase clear leaders before last, nearest finish
tracked leaders, weakening when hit 5th
made all, driven forward, hit 3rd, ridden 4 out, kept on well under pressure
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
tracked leader, mistake 1st, driven before 2 out, stayed on same pace
Nonrunner
It’s a bit of a surprise to see LAKE CHAPALA turning up in a seller as he’s won twice over fences this season and went close reverting to hurdles at Leicester last time - he’s only a pound higher here. Akula hasn’t won in almost two years but has form in better company and has plummeted down the weights. Friendship Bay has very few miles on the clock and can only improve for his comeback run at Market Rasen but Great Link continues to disappoint and Changing The Guard is looking a light of former days.
Friendship Bay 20-1 (11-1) Close up, ridden and every chance 2 out, faded flat, 5th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Swaledale Lad (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Nebula Storm (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and well beaten 3 out, 11th of 12, dist behind Master Vintage (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Great Link 7-1 (12-3) Held up in rear, steady headway on outside tracking leaders before 3 out, modest 4th and no impression before next, weakened into 5th at the last, 5th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Bol D'air (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Changing The Guard 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 33 1/4l behind Ding Ding (11-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Edward Elgar 5-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway before 5 out, weakened 4 out, soon eased, pulled up, at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Lake Chapala (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway before normal 2 out, stayed on final 150 yards, went 2nd close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Aza Run (11-2) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Akula (IRE) 7-2fav (10-8) Chased winner until after 5th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 12, 11l behind Master Vintage (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Gray Wolf River 12-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 37 1/4l behind Bol D'air (11-8) at Plumpton 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
