tracked leaders, jumped left 11th and 13th, pushed along after 4 out, led briefly 3 out, led again 2 out, headed on last bend, every chance last, held towards finish
went left at times, led after 1st, headed 12th, led 13th, headed 15th, led 4 out, headed next, soon led again, headed 2 out, led on last bend, stayed on well, in command towards finish
led until after 1st, mostly 2nd after, led 12th, headed 13th, led 15th until 4 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, beaten after, weakened flat
keen early, held up in last, not fluent 14th, losing touch after 4 out, well beaten 2 out
Geordie Des Champs won a novices’ handicap at Taunton in January off a mark of 135. A useful hurdler, he looks as though he’s going to be at least as good over fences but is not easy to predict. ROLLING DYLAN is conceding 6lb but is rated 5lb higher having easily beaten two rivals at Chepstow last month. There may not be much between the pair but the latter’s stamina may just win out if, as expected, Three Ways tries to make all. Pauls Hill, who has already been placed between the flags, should be suited by the switch to fences and Jeu De Mots also has point-to-point experience.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 7-4 (11-6) Chased leader after 2nd, led 4 out, clear 2 out, mistake last, ridden out flat, won at Chepstow 3m (3) sft in Feb beating Flintham (11-0) by 18l, 3 ran.
Geordie Des Champs (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked leader, jumped right 8th, lost 2nd 12th, left 2nd 4 out, leader soon went clear, 5 lengths down 2 out, closed when jumped right last, led flat, clear towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Captain Buck's (10-12) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Three Ways 5-1 (10-13) In touch, chased leaders after 8th, weakened before 4 out, behind when fell next, at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Jeu De Mots (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased clear leader after next, weakened before last, modest 4th, 4th of 11, dist behind Niceandeasy (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Oct.
Pauls Hill (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Prominent, pushed along briefly before 5th, not fluent next, soon ridden, outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, 3rd of 7, 37 1/4l behind Rock My Style (11-5) at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Feb.
