led, clear before 2 out until approaching last, headed and no extra flat
in touch, went 4th at 7th, chased clear leader before 2 out, closed on outside approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won going away
always towards rear, tailed off 3 out
took keen hold, chased leaders, ridden 6th, under pressure when slipped up on bend before next
took keen hold, chased leaders on inside, hit 5th, went 3rd before 2 out, weakened soon after, 2 out, well beaten and eased when blundered last
chased leader until mistake 5th, soon lost place, behind when mistake 7th, tailed off when mistake 2 out
last pair, blundered 6th, never on terms, tailed off
raced wide, never travelled towards rear, struggling under pressure 5th, lost touch next, poor 5th when blundered 2 out, tailed off and eased
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until ridden before 2 out, weakened soon after, tailed off
in rear, struggling in 5th after 3 out, mistake next, never on terms, tailed off
Triptico is edging closer to that elusive first win but has his fair share of weight in an open-looking contest. Schism carries a penalty for her victory in an ordinary race at Plumpton last week while Esteem is 8lb higher than when beaten over hurdles at Ffos Las two runs ago and looked far from resolute when only second over fences at Ludlow subsequently. TROP FORT looked to be on the way back when third in better company at Doncaster in December and, though rested since, is fancied to defy top weight here though What A Warrior may have just needed last month's run at Sandown and Frizzo isn't without a chance.
Trop Fort (FR) 15-2 (10-11) Led to after 1st, regained lead after next, ridden after 4 out, headed next, soon one pace, no impression with leading pair from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Shadows Lengthen (11-6) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Triptico (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, chased winner 2 out, no impression, hit last, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Lightning Strike (11-12) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Oscar Sierra (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Held up in 4th, took keen hold, not asked for effort after 3 out when leaders kicked on, closed approaching last, led flat, ran on, won at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf in Aug beating Seedless (10-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
What A Warrior (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) In touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 32l behind Off The Ground (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Feb.
Frizzo (FR) 40-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and no impression in 5th before 2 out, 5th of 11, 35l behind Grove Pride (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Romanesco (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Chased leadrs, went right 4th, led sooon after 5th until 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 12, 46l behind Makethe Mostofnow (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
Ricardo's Chance 10-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Fairoak Lad (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sep '09.
Schism 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, hit 4th, led 9th, narrowly headed after 3 out, in front again before next, hit 2 out, driven out fom last, won at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (0-105) (4) gs in Feb beating Marie Deja La (10-7) by 4 1/2l, 12 ran.
Take Of Shoc's (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, led after 2nd, headed and weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Gentle Bob (11-3) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Esteem 7-4fav (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, went 2nd 9th, challenged approaching 4 out, ridden before last, outbattled and no impression flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Akarshan (11-6) at Ludlow 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
