made all, strongly challenged when left in clear lead 4 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, lost place 11th, rallied after next, under pressure when left in clear 2nd 4 out, effort after 2 out, kept on under pressure
tracking leader when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 12th, chased leader next, every chance when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
held up in rear but in touch, chasing leaders when mistake 11th, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along approaching 13th, weakening when slow 5 out, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders 13th, weakened 5 out, moderate 3rd
Springfield Raki may be flattered by recent form figures and finished a well-beaten last of three at Doncaster earlier this month. Hudibras could improve for the switch to fences as could Phare Isle, who won his first race over hurdles here in January. Cottage Flyer won a maiden point-to-point in Ireland as recently as last Sunday but this will test his credentials more and he may struggle to get the better of ERZEN. Venetia Williams' gelding has endured a stuttering start to his career over fences but again displayed ability when third at Folkestone last week and this is his easiest task to date. The six-year-old looks the one to beat.
Cottage Flyer (IRE) 5-4 (12-0) Ld/disp, went on 3out, clr 2out, easily, won at Belclare 3m ire ptp sft beating Finish The Story (12-0) by 8l, 9 ran.
Erzen (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Raced moodily, early reminders, in touch, went 3rd at 8th, ridden 5 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Neil Harvey (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chase (5) gd.
Hudibras (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Always in rear, blundered 7th, hit next, 8th of 9, 30l behind Brunswick Gold (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Feb.
Phare Isle (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear and keen, headway 4 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 15, 23l behind Al Co (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Rockoboy (IRE) 100-1 (10-7) In rear, tailed off from 9th, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Neil Harvey (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chase (5) gd, 7 ran.
Springfield Raki 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, chased winner briefly 10th, ridden before 3 out, weakened before next, last of 3, 28l behind Indian Pipe Dream (10-7) at Doncaster 3m nov chs (4) gd.
Sweet Seville (FR) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in touch in rear, outpaced after 8th, no impression 3 out, 5th of 7, 26l behind Copsehill Girl (11-4) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
