raced wide held up, dropped to rear 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened next
led, ridden 2 out, headed bend approaching last, one pace and lost 2nd towards finish
close up, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, chased leader 2 out, ridden to lead bend approaching last, not fluent last, ran on
led into start, in rear, improved one place 5th, ridden when hit 2 out, soon weakened
Olympic Conqueror won a maiden on the card a year ago and scored again at Uttoxeter in June though has a long absence to overcome. Glimpse Of Gold has won around here but generally performs at a slightly lower level while Vocal Duke, a dual winner here, found Class 3 company beyond him at Ludlow. Ridgeway won a novices' hurdle at Doncaster then found Ginger Mail much too strong on a return visit when the ground was much softer. The four-year-old RESTITUTION (NAP) showed up well at Ascot last time and, with more scope than most of these, can get off the mark. Seaborough, 1-27 over hurdles, appears unlikely to double his tally.
Olympic Conqueror (IRE) 5-2 (11-7) Led until 4th, led before next, soon headed, no impression on winner and lost 2nd before not fluent last, soon 4th and no extra, 4th of 8, 9 3/4l behind Byzantine Empire (11-3) at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Jul.
Glimpse Of Gold 20-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, pushed along to lead 2 out, ridden and headed soon after, weakened run in, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Timberman (11-1) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Vocal Duke (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway after 6th, switched left and shaken up after 3 out, never able to get on terms, kept on, 5th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Mr Grey Sky (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Ridgeway (FR) 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leader, made headway to challenge at 3 out, ridden and joined leaders at 2 out, outpaced before last hurdle, held on for second, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Ginger Mail (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Restitution (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Led, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, soon readily outpaced and no chance with winner, awkward last, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Doctor Parnassus (10-12) at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Jan.
Seaborough (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Gave trouble before start, held up and behind, raced keenly, headway 3 out, went 4th last, kept on, 4th of 12, 5 1/4l behind Bartholomew J (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
