towards rear, jumped slowly 11th, headway and tracking leaders when mistake 19th, chased leaders after, chased winner between last 2, no impression from last
in touch, dropped to rear and struggling 15th, tailed off when pulled up before 18th
tended to jump left, chased leaders on outside, weakened and mistake 18th, tailed off
raced wide, held up towards rear, headway and well in touch 9th, pushed along 12th, in rear and struggling before 17th, pulled up before 18th
chased leaders, led 18th, headed soon after 3 out, stayed challenging until no extra before 2 out
in touch, struggling 14th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 17th
chased leaders until lost place before 16th, poor 7th and struggling 3 out, tailed off
chased leader, led 10th until 18th, chased leader unti weakened between last 2
led until 10th, chased leader, weakened into 5th when blundered 19th, soon struggling, tailed off
held up in rear, progress on inner 15th, led after 3 out, stayed on well
Nigel Twiston-Davies' The Gangerman held on well when successful at Warwick two starts ago but disappointed at Bangor last month in the race won by Ya I Know and he looks booked for a place at best in a competitive contest taken to go to TARQUINIUS, who can reverse running with his conqueror in that Bangor event. The selection ran no sort of race at Wincanton two starts ago but had run well prior to that and lost no caste in defeat behind Ya I Know last time, form which he can reverse now that he meets that rival on 4lbs better terms for one-and-a-half lengths. Neil Mulholland's Topless has been running consistently well and has to be considered but he may find this trip beyond him, while Charlie Longsdon's Minella Boys seems a shade high in the weights. Jamie Snowden's Knighton Combe has won four of his last six starts and was not disgraced when stepped up to a similar trip to this at Doncaster last month but a mark of 128 is likely to stop him from resuming winning ways. Nick Gifford's Shaka's Pearl is better than he showed at Towcester last month and he has to be considered but Tarquinius has plenty going for him and Charlie Mann's gelding can gain a deserved success.
Knighton Combe 10-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, 2nd and not fluent 4 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Gidam Gidam (11-0) at Doncaster 4m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Feb.
Minella Boys (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) With leaders, led 4 out, headed after 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Fredo (10-11) at Haydock 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Tarquinius (FR) 4-1fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place when not fluent 13th, headway after 15th, chased winner 2 out, every chance flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Ya I Know (10-2) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Philson Run (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Mistake 4th, stumbled 18th, always towards rear, 7th of 16, 19l behind Garde Champetre (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 7f hcp chs (2) sft in Dec '08.
The Gangerman (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along 9th, stumbled 12th, switching about and beaten after 2 out, 6th of 10, 21l behind Ya I Know (10-2) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Dune Raider (USA) 10-1 (11-7) Prominent until blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Carrickmines (11-12) at Ludlow 3m cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Shaka's Pearl 3-1fav (11-10) Held up, 5th and in touch 9th, closed 14th, chased winner 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 7, 47l behind Its A Classic (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Topless (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led, blundered and headed 3 out, kept on well to hold 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Shaking Hands (11-3) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb.
Ya I Know (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) In touch, lost place 5th, headway 14th, challenging when bumped 4 out, led approaching 2 out, strongly pressed when rider lost iron briefly after last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb beating Tarquinius (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Noble Bily (FR) 17-2 (10-13) In rear, steady headway 13th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Carrickmines (11-12) at Ludlow 3m cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
