close up, mistake 8th, went 2nd before 17th, ridden before 2 out, kept on and always held
close up, led before 11th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, never dangerous
always towrds rear
towards rear, headway 16th and reminders, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, reminders before 3 out, never dangerous
in touch in 4th, weakened before 5 out
led, headed before 11th, outpaced 14th, kept on same pace from 2 out
towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 9th
towards rear, pecked badly 2nd, soon detached, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
MIDNIGHT CHARMER has won three Class 5 handicaps since October and with quicker ground in his favour he's taken to score again with his regular pilot able to use his claim. Long Wave, a winner over hurdles at Uttoxeter last summer, has only had three runs over fences and looked to be making some progress at Ludlow last time. Salut Honore went up 11lb for a very easy victory at Towcester and has struggled badly though he's now just 4lb higher and his rider's claim takes care of that. Faith Keeper is another who has been in poor form since being raised for a victory here in December though he's raced in slightly better company and should get into the frame.
Faith Keeper (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Chased leaders on outside, soon niggled along and backed off some off the fences, led after 4th until next, led 9th, headed after 14th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Carli King (11-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Long Wave (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened before 4 out, 3rd of 7, 3l behind King Massini (11-9) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Trifollet 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along 6th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Sure Thing (11-12) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Midnight Charmer 3-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 10th, went 2nd 4 out, challenged from 2 out, just under 1 length down and every chance when fell last, in a race won by Full Ov Beans (10-13) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Riddlestown (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway from 7th, ridden 11th, soon weakened, 7th of 12, well behind Lord Fox (10-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Feb.
Salut Honore (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, went 4th from 5 out, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind Over And Above (10-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Thorncliffer 8-1 (10-3) Prominent, jumped right 2nd, led 3rd until after 5th, blundered and lost place 7th, jumped right and mistakes 8th and 9th, soon well behind, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Fitandproperjob (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f cond hcp chs (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Phoenix Des Mottes (FR) 66-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, badly hampered 2nd, rider lost iron briefly, soon lost place, pulled up after 5th, in a race won by Lord Landen (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 11 ran.
Rudinero (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Led to 8th, remained close up, weakened from 15th, 5th of 7, well behind Top Benefit (11-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in May.
Celts Espere 33-1 (9-9) In rear, soon detached, tailed off and pulled up before 7th, in a race won by Turf Trivia (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb, 6 ran.
