tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, lost place before 4 out, soon weakened, mistake and hampered next, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, mistake and behind 12th, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, reminder after 9th, behind when pulled up before 13th
led until 3rd, stayed prominent, ridden after 14th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, not fluent next, no extra last
held up towards rear, mistake 10th, blundered next and 14th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 3rd, driven flat, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, ridden after 14th, soon lost place, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear on outside, steady headway from 10th, ridden and raced awkwardly after 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
held up in rear, not fluent 3rd or 10th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, not fluent and lost place 8th, behind 14th, fell 3 out
mid-division, pecked 4th, hit 9th, ridden after next, plugged on from 2 out, no chance
tracked leaders, ridden when hampered and lost place after 14th, rallied approaching 2 out, challenged last, led towards finish
held up towards rear, headway on inside after 9th, went 3rd before 4 out, soon ridden, went 2nd 2 out until last, weakened flat
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 14th, soon lost place
Safari Journey hinted at a revival at Ascot last week and is certainly well treated. But this looks a lot more competitive with French Ties chasing a hat-trick after wins at Newbury and Bangor, and Suburban Bay still improving over the larger obstacles. Sound Accord had Zitenka and Etxalar behind over 3m at Carlisle last month but this trip on good ground may be an insufficient test of stamina for Brian Ellison's charge. Tiger O'Toole may be capable of improving on his third over 2m4f here last time and Carrickboy wasn't disgraced behind Hunt Ball at the Cheltenham Festival but we'll stick with the in-form BUFFALO BOB, who is probably racing over his best trip and is still on a winning mark despite a battling success at Chepstow four weeks ago.
Carrickboy (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) In touch on outside, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, never on terms, 6th of 20, 14l behind Hunt Ball (12-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Listed Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (1) gd in Mar.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 5-1 (10-11) In rear, blundered 9th, headway before 3 out, ridden before next, kept on from last, 3rd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Chance Du Roy (11-10) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Mar.
Mohayer (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, reached mid-division 19th, weakened approaching 4 out, jumped badly right 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Master Overseer (10-3) at Uttoxeter 4m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gs in Mar, 16 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Made all, 5 lengths clear 3 out, not fluent last, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar beating Plein Pouvoir (11-2) by 1l, 6 ran.
Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 66-1 (9-7) Held up in touch in mid-division, ridden 11th, soon struggling, tailed off, 15th of 22, well behind Salut Flo (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Mar.
Prince du Seuil (FR) 40-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 12th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 14, 36l behind Hunt Ball (10-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
Zitenka (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear and keen, good headway to go 2nd before 3rd, led 9th, ridden and headed before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Vamizi (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Safari Journey (USA) 4-1 (11-5) Held up, not fluent 2nd, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd before next, not fluent 7th, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Riguez Dancer (11-10) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Bocciani (GER) 40-1 (11-0) Mid-division, took keen hold, mistake 7th, soon beaten, pulled up before last, in a race won by Attaglance (11-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Hurdle (0-145) (4yo+) (2) gd in Mar, 24 ran.
French Ties (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Held up in rear, blundered 2nd, mistake 8th, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, ridden to lead after last, all out, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Mar beating Premier Sagas (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Etxalar (FR) 11-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, blundered 1st, mistake 9th, weakened from 11th, blundered 13th, 5th of 9, 30l behind Vamizi (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Rebeccas Choice (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 4th, lost place after 8th, hit 11th and 12th, mistake and weakened 4 out, hit next, 5th of 8, 26l behind Brackloon High (10-8) at Leicester 2m 7f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Feb.
Sound Accord (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, hit 6th, reminders 12th, pushed along 5 out, chased winner from last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Vamizi (11-1) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Suburban Bay 5-2fav (11-9) In rear, headway 11th, tracked leaders 4 out, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Reach For The Top (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar.
That's The Deal (IRE) 13-8fav (10-8) Held up in rear in touch, headway to to track leading pair 15th, close up in 3rd when brought down next, in a race won by Royal Kicks (10-12) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar, 5 ran.