always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, ridden run-in, kept on and always held
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd from before last, kept on
tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, weakened from 2 out
held up behind, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, soon led, kept on strongly run-in
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, one pace in 4th, never dangerous
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
close up, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
It's over a year ago since LEAN BURN completed a quick double at Doncaster and Wetherby but he had a run on the Flat at Wolverhampton last month and should be ready to regain the winning thread. Bach On Tow has been a bit unfortunate not to have won recently, especially as her two latest runs came on heavy going and her victories have been on fast ground. Bumper and dual Flat winner Asker hasn't won over hurdles but came close here last month when she only just failed to make all though she was receiving a ton of weight from the winner and third. Nebula Storm gained his only success over timber on good ground but is 9lb higher and hasn't been running well. Celtic Artisan has looked much too high in the weights since arriving from Ireland but the handicapper has released his grip a little.
Lean Burn (USA) 10-3fav (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon challenged, ridden last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb '14 beating Shan Valley (10-6) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Celtic Artisan (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 41l behind Smart Catch (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Royal Etiquette (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 5 out, driven to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 10, 8l behind Running Wolf (10-9) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Nebula Storm (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, chased leaders 2 out (usual 3 out), driven before last, kept on same pace, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 18l behind Aristocracy (10-10) at Wincanton 2m cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Bach On Tow (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 3rd, went 2nd before 2 out, 1 length down last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Dont Call Me Oscar (11-4) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Galactic Power (IRE) 100-1 (10-3) Chased leaders on outside, weakened 6th, 5th and no chance when went right final 3, plugged on into modest 4th close home, 4th of 11, 21l behind Stentorian (10-8) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Squirrel (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Took keen hold in rear, stayed on approaching last, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 19l behind Zero Visibility (9-10) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Asker (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Led, headed 2 out, chased winner, one pace and no impression between last two, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Grand March (11-11) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Todoistodare 25-1 (10-0) Mid-division, dropped to rear after 4th, struggling next, lost touch when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Nefyn Bay (11-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Samizdat (FR) 66-1 (9-7) Always towards rear, pulled up after 3 out, in a race won by Nefyn Bay (11-12) at Catterick 2m 3f ldys hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb, 9 ran.