tracked leaders, left 2nd 4th, looked to be going best approaching 2 out when not fluent, hit next, ridden and kept on one pace
led, fell 4th
tracked leader, left in lead 4th, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden and stayed on
NonRunner
AJERO bids to repeat last year’s success in this and has every chance of doing so. He returned to winning ways at Taunton last month and Kim Bailey’s charge is preferred to No Risk Des Flos. The latter completed a double at Wetherby last time but drops back down in trip raised 3lb while Kannapolis returned a beaten favourite at Catterick and this is tougher. Fransham has won over fences since last seen over timber though arrives out of sorts.
Fransham 9-2 (11-5) Close up in 4th, mistake 5th, slow next, struggling when not fluent 5 out, soon pulled up, at Leicester 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Ajero (IRE) 11-4 (11-6) Made all, pressed 2 out, driven 3 lengths up when edged right flat, held on, won at Taunton 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb beating Fontana Ellissi (10-2) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Kannapolis (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Prominent, led 3rd, not fluent next, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Mick Maestro (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
No Risk Des Flos (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led before last, driven and edged left flat, hung right towards finish, bumped rival post, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb beating Thereisnodoubt (11-6) by nk, 7 ran.
