headway 2nd and close up, led 11th, pushed clear 2out, comfortable
led, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened next
in touch, dropped to rear 3rd, weakened 4 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated 6 out
close up, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up next
in rear, ridden when fell 5 out
in touch, headway 10th, chased winner next, until ridden 4 out, rallied to chase clear winner flat
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 11th, tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 4 out, one pace and lost 2nd flat
NonRunner
NonRunner
Smooth Stepper has run well in both starts this season at big odds and has his optimum conditions today. He won over 3m4f at the track last February and won’t be stopping today. But both of SAM’S ADVENTURE’s victories have come on heavy ground, the latest over course and distance last month when he had a bit in hand. If he’s in the same mood, he could defy a 6lb rise. Sam Brown should stay and he ran well on his reappearance at Carlisle in November and Royale Pagaille has been very impressive here and at Kempton this season, though has been hit with a 16lb hike in the ratings. Lamanver Pippin placed at last year’s Cheltenham Festival but, after a promising reappearance, ran poorly at Chepstow last month. Acey Milan may be best of the rest.
Royale Pagaille (FR) 9-2fav (11-7) Jumped left a few times, held up towards rear, mistake 3rd, closed from 10th, challenged 12th, led 3 out, headed next but still going well, led again before last, impressive, won at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Cap Du Nord (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Crievehill (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Prominent when not fluent 1st, chased leaders, lost place before 3rd, mistake 10th, well beaten from 4 out, 6th of 11, 36 1/4l behind Royale Pagaille (11-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Smooth Stepper 25-1 (10-9) Mid-division, lost place 11th, towards rear when jumped slowly 14th (canal turn) rallied into modest 5th 2 out, 5th of 14, dist behind Vieux Lion Rouge (10-7) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Sam's Adventure 14-1 (11-4) Midfield, reminder after 1st, took closer order 11th, close up travelling strongly 4 out, ridden before 2 out, led before last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Dec beating Sojourn (11-11) by 4l, 10 ran.
Lamanver Pippin 10-3fav (11-5) Disputed lead then chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out (usually 5 out), mistake 4 out (usually 5 out), well held, 7th of 11, dist behind Secret Reprieve (10-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Acey Milan (IRE) 5-6fav (11-6) Chased leader, pushed along after 14th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, eased down flat, 2nd of 3, 31l behind Full Back (11-1) at Plumpton 3m 2f (3) sft in Dec.
Potters Legend 5-1fav (10-11) Towards rear, closer in mid-division when badly hampered on inside bend before 3 out, chased leaders before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 15, 9 3/4l behind Seeyouatmidnight (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Just Your Type (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, pushed along and weakened into mid-division before 4 out, error 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 4m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Sam Brown 11-2 (11-8) Led, headed narrowly 12th, still close up 3 out where ridden, kept on from 2 out, faded close home, 3rd of 6, 3l behind Imperial Aura (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Nov.
Claud And Goldie (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Prominent, led narrowly 2nd, headed before 3rd, hit 14th, ridden after 5 out, one pace from 4 out, 4th of 12, 27 1/2l behind Snow Leopardess (10-10) at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
