led until before 2nd, chased leader until hit 4 out, weakened before next, fell 2 out
led before 2nd, clear before 3rd, reduced lead 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
chased leaders on outside, jumped left at times, reminder after 5th, weakened after next, pulled up
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd when not fluent 4 out, every chance before last, no extra flat
held up, not much room 6th, closed before 3 out, led before last, drew clear flat
held up in rear, not always fluent, went 4th after 3 out, no impression, weakened before mistake 2 out
GREGARIOUS (NAP) will be a very short price in this weak handicap, despite a penalty. He shrugged off a big weight to win by 16 lengths at Carlisle 10 days ago and the talented Maxime Tissier again takes off 5lb. Cafe Au Lait alternates between hurdles and fences but it’s two years since he last won over the smaller obstacles and he’s still 15lb higher. Acaro is still a maiden but has shown some signs of ability, including around here, though is probably up against it on these terms.
Boru's Brook (IRE) 150-1 (8-10) Towards rear, driven and struggling 6f out, soon behind, 9th of 12, dist behind Seasearch (9-7) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Feb.
Gregarious (IRE) 5-4fav (12-5) Led until approaching 3 out, led again before next, ridden well clear last, readily, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Feb beating Pistol (11-11) by 16l, 6 ran.
Bishopslough (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up, slight mistake 4th, 9th from 6th, under pressure from 3 out, soon no extra, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Jefferson Davis (10-10) at Clonmel 2m 3f hcp gd in May.
Marmont 33-1 (10-4) Left in 2nd place and hampered 1st, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Lisp (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Acaro (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, pushed along in 3rd before next, ridden and weakened before last, 8th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Not Never (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Cafe Au Lait (GER) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leading pair, hit 7th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, went left and pecked next, joined for well held 3rd when left in that placing at the last, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Brave Spartacus (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
