prominent, led 4 out, driven 2 out, ridden after last, hard pressed flat, headed and no extra in 3rd towards finish
soon mid-division, lost place 4 out, never on terms
led, driven and headed 4 out, soon ridden, one pace 2 out, rallied flat, every chance towards finish, just held
soon mid-division, lost place 4 out, no danger after
tracked leaders, driven and lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division on outside, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and one pace after next, never troubled front trio
in touch on outside, driven 3 out, kept on same pace, weakened last
tracked leaders, effort before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, rallied flat, stayed on to lead narrowly towards finish, just held on
behind, chased leaders 3 out, ridden before next, never on terms, weakened last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden and no impression from 2 out
tracked leaders, driven approaching 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression before last
chased leader to before 4 out, soon lost place, behind when blundered and unseated rider next
This looks wide-open but Third Act could figure back over hurdles. De Blacksmith was fourth back over the smaller obstacles at Plumpton last month but Kincora Fort is getting no closer to shedding his maiden tag and the recent victories of Upham Running and Mariet were achieved in a lower grade, for which they've gone up in the weights. Prouts Pub would go close if reproducing the form of his latest second at Doncaster as he's only a couple of pounds higher but DEFINITE FUTURE is fancied to make a winning start in handicaps. He's been making steady progress in novice events and a mark of 103 doesn't look restrictive.
Prouts Pub (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Always prominent, led 5th, joined 3 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Seaviper (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Jan.
Third Act (IRE) 10-3fav (11-3) Took keen hold, held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway 8th, hit next, blundered when weakening 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sun Wild Life (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, soon one pace and no impression before next, plugged on run-in, 4th of 8, 12l behind Dawson City (11-8) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Bajardo (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Held up in last pair but well in touch, pushed along briefly after 6th, closer order 7th, 3rd before 3 out but not on terms with leading duo, weakened into poor 4th when slipped up on bend entering home straight, in a race won by Todd (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 6 ran.
Kincora Fort (IRE) 4-6fav (10-9) Tracked leaders on inside, 3rd and ridden after 3 out, no chance with front pair before next, plugged on, lost modest 3rd near finish, 4th of 8, 16l behind St Johns Point (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Mighty Mobb (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Chased leader, fell 9th, in a race won by Oscarslad (10-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
Stow 3-1fav (11-5) Chased winner who went clear after 4th, well beaten after 3 out, 2nd of 7, well behind Wayward Frolic (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Cinematique (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 5th, in a race won by Rendezvous Peak (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Definite Future (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden 4 out, one pace when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 12, 13l behind Restraint of Trade (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Drombeg West 13-2 (10-4) In rear, tailled off and pulled up soon after 3 out, in a race won by Vision Du Coeur (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan, 8 ran.
Upham Running (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Close up, led after 4 out, pressed after last, held on well, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec beating Back By Midnight (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Mariet 13-2 (10-9) Took keen hold tracking leaders, 2nd when hit 9th, led before 3 out, driven along before next, clear 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Oct beating The Selector (9-11) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Double Bud 100-1 (10-11) Prominent until 5th, behind next, 5th of 7, well behind Boru's Brook (11-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
