close up, pushed along and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace
towards rear, not fluent 13th, mistake next, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, chased leader 3 out, led next, ridden and ran on
in touch, pushed along 3 out, not trouble leaders
held up in rear, pushed along 3 out, some late headway, never nearer
led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace and lost 2nd flat
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out
in touch, headway 7th, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat
A tricky opener featuring several in-form novices. Methodtothemagic was beaten six lengths by Mixedwave at Leicester last month but is 16lb better off now with the latter having won and placed since. LE TUEUR has ground out a couple of victories lately and a further 3lb rise may not be enough to thwart the hat-trick with fellow course and distance winner Spotty Dog conceding him 5lb today factoring in riders’ claims. Aikenbreakinheart was second at Fontwell on his chasing bow and then won at Wincanton so is not out of this.
Spotty Dog 7-2jfav (11-12) In touch, not fluent 4th, headway to challenge approaching 2 out, led after last, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Voice Of Hope (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Le Tueur (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, led next, ridden 2 out, edged right flat, ridden out gamely, won at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (5) sft in Mar beating Vetoncall (10-10) by 9l, 4 ran.
Holerday Ridge (IRE) 22-1 (11-13) In rear early, remained held up until making steady headway 5 out, went second and chased leader from 4 out, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no chance with winner, lost prolonged battle for second on the line, 3rd of 9, 8 1/2l behind Lazy Sunday (12-2) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Drop Him In (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up off the pace in rear, pushed along and steady headway from 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 20l behind Lightonthewing (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Methodtothemagic (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led after 8th until after next, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 12, 24 3/4l behind Twilight Glory (10-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
El Hageb Rose (FR) 28-1 (11-6) Behind, struggling in rear before 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Mixedwave (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, short of room bend after 7th, tracked winner 8th, blundered next, ridden and mistake 3 out, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Brandisova (11-1) at Fakenham 3m hcp (5) gs in Mar.
Aikenbreakinheart (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd going well 12th, led 16th, headed 17th, led before 3 out, clear when not fluent last, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Mar beating Lakeside Lad (11-1) by 6 1/2l, 5 ran.
Doyens De Ante (IRE) 7-2fav (10-2) Always in rear, jumped slow at times, 6th of 8, dist behind Concetto (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Feb.
