tracked leader, lost place approaching when slow 6th, beaten 3 out
led, strongly challenged approaching 3 out, headed after next, kept on same pace
mid-division, under pressure after 4 out, soon beaten
behind, outpaced 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms
keen, tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, weakening when blundered last
tracked leader, driven to lead approaching last, stayed on strongly
in touch, hit 1st, joined leader 4 out, weakened before last
mid-division, under pressure 5 out, blundered 2 out, stayed on into 3rd closing stages, never able to challenge
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened 2 out
NonRunner
Rockpoint beat Lisnagar Oscar over this trip at Cheltenham in December but there is little between the pair on the revised terms. The latter had Truckin Away back in third when successful subsequently over 2m4f at Chepstow. Stoney Mountain had Rockpoint six lengths behind when second in this grade at Warwick while Star Of Lanka gave 6lb and a beating to Geordie B at Hereford in December. But the runner-up was doing his best work at the finish that day and went on to beat a subsequent easy winner over 2m7f at Lingfield. Venetia Williams’ novice has plenty of scope for further improvement but Challow Hurdle third KATESON has the best form on offer and, out of a mare that stayed 3m2f, should have no problems with the extra half-mile.
Rockpoint 12-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 3 out, well held 3rd before 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 9 3/4l behind Beakstown (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Ask Ben (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Made all, drew clear before 3 out, soon ridden, in no danger after, went left last, pushed out, very easily, won at Ayr 3m (4) gs in Jan beating Craiganboy (11-4) by 19l, 5 ran.
Admiral Barratry (FR) 17-2 (11-8) Held up in last trio, closer before 5th, pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, one pace and no chance with 1st 2, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Downtown Getaway (11-2) at Ascot 2m 6f (3) gs in Jan.
Highland Hunter (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Raced keenly, held up in touch, lost place 8th, headway after 4 out, chased front pair before 2 out,one pace last, ridden and rallied flat, held towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Closing Ceremony (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Kateson 9-2 (11-7) Tracked leader and keen, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, not pace of winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 3 1/4l behind Champ (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Lisnagar Oscar (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 4th, led 2 out, edged right towards finish, held on, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan beating Dickie Diver (11-2) by hd, 16 ran.
Star Of Lanka (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, ridden and chance 2 out, 4th and no impression from last, 4th of 14, 9 1/2l behind Big Time Dancer (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gd in Jan.
Stoney Mountain (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd before next, no impression on winner, stayed on, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Beakstown (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) gd in Jan.
Truckin Away (IRE) 7-2 (11-9) Tracked leaders, challenged 3rd, soon led, slow 6th, headed 2 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 5 1/4l behind Lisnagar Oscar (11-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
Geordie B 11-4 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, smooth headway into 3rd before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, closed to challenge last, ridden to lead run-in, won at Lingfield 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan beating Samburu Shujaa (10-12) by 4l, 15 ran.
