prominent, mistake 9th, driven 4 out, weakened before last, eased flat, tailed off
mid-division, headway after 12th, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on same pace
behind, headway after 3 out, weakened next, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, mistake 10th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
tracked leader, mistake 14th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when blundered 2 out
led, 8 lengths clear 10th, strongly challenged after 2 out, headed flat, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, every chance 2 out, led after last, stayed on under pressure
held up, slow 2nd, weakened 5 out, rallied 2 out, never nearer
in touch, mistake 8th, chased leaders after 3 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure
in touch, mistake 11th, mistake 5 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out
NonRunner
Baron Du Plessis has never won in 15 starts yet still looks high enough in the weights, as does Mondo Cane, who is consistent enough but hasn't won over fences since scoring here three years ago. SILENT MAN won over the course and distance in November and at Southwell a month later, both times under Sean Bowen. He found the going too soft at Fontwell last time and can get back on the winning trail. Midnight Mustang completed a double last February and didn't reappear until December where he ran well on this track. He couldn't handle heavy ground at Towcester last month and could provide the main threat in today's conditions.
Baron Du Plessis (FR) 7-2fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 10th until after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 13, 36l behind Clondaw Rigger (10-0) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Silent Man (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Chased leading pair, closed going well before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Goring One (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
What A Laugh 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, slow 4th and 12th, soon outpaced, struggling 5 out, well beaten when pulled up after 2 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Mondo Cane (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Jumped left at times, tracked leader, pecked 5th, led before 4 out, not fluent 2 out, headed last, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Kilinakin (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Derryfadda (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-7) Jumped well, made all, clear before 3 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Benefit In Kind (11-5) by 9l, 7 ran.
Like Sully (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 13th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Goring One (11-2) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Chill In The Wood 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, mistake, slithered on landing and unseated rider 10th, at Plumpton 2m 4f (4) gd in Feb.
The Jugopolist (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Behind, reminders 9th, soon struggling, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Midnight Mustang 7-1 (10-8) Led, went left and mistake 2nd, headed 9th, lost place next, jumped left and struggling 14th, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 28 1/4l behind Dontminddboys (11-12) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) hvy in Mar.
Heurtevent (FR) 10-1 (10-2) Prominent, hampered 3rd, lost place before 7th, outpaced 4 out, no impression after, weakened before jumping left 2 out, 4th of 6, 23 1/4l behind Finnegan's Garden (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Apr.
Midnight Gem 11-2 (11-7) Close up, jumped right, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
