chased leader, mistake 10th, took closer order 4 out, pressed leader 3 out, travelling best and led 2 out, soon ridden and 4 lengths clear approaching last, idled run-in, headed near finish
midfield, not fluent 12th, lost touch with leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, not fluent 2 out, rallied approaching last where 4 lengths down, stayed on well to lead near finish
held up in detached last, not fluent 11th, pushed along before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, briefly rallied approaching last where edged left, kept on same pace run-in
led, pressed for lead before 3 out where ridden, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last where not fluent
NonRunner
Wishing And Hoping won a valuable veterans’ chase at Sandown in January but was behind Empire Steel earlier at Aintree and re-opposes on worse terms. The Shunter, who won the Morebattle on this card in 2021, still retains plenty of ability and shouldn’t be underestimated but LE MILOS, 5-9 over fences, has moved up another gear this term and looks the one to beat. Zanza is very much a Newbury specialist and has an alternative engagement at that track.
Le Milos 9-2fav (11-0) Kept out wide in mid-division, steady headway out wide chasing leaders before 16th, switched right and led 3 out, came clear next, reduced lead at the last, driven and held on gamely run-in, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Remastered (10-10) by 1/2l, 15 ran.
Empire Steel (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) In touch in mid-division, not fluent 13th, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 10th of 12, 28 3/4l behind Castle Robin (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
The Shunter (IRE) 4-1fav (9-2) A bit slow into stride, towards rear and 15th halfway, some progress from 4f out, pushed along from 3f out and soon ridden towards near side, kept on well into 4th inside final furlong, never nearer, 4th of 20, 5 1/2l behind Drop The Anchor (8-7) at Naas 2m hcp hvy in Nov.
Wishing And Hoping (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Led until before 2nd, chased leader, in front again before 12th, went clear 3 out, hit next, in no danger when hit last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Ramses De Teillee (12-0) by 2 1/4l, 18 ran.
Zanza (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Patiently ridden in last pair, pushed along and hit 9th, steady headway out wide 13th, chased leaders 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, led and bit awkward 2 out, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 7f (1) gd in Feb beating Hitman (11-2) by 7l, 7 ran.
