held up towards rear, niggled along after 3 out, never involved
made all, led, going easy and quickened clear run to the last, pushed out and extended advantage run-in, impressive
chased leader in 2nd, dropped back when ridden and one-paced after 4 out, weakened briefly after mistake 3 out, rallied and stayed on after 2 out
tracked leader in 3rd, untidy 7th, closer 11th, chased leader in 2nd 4 out, ridden after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, disputing 2nd last, kept on run-in but headed for 2nd final 110 yards
towards rear, untidy 12th, headway when shaken up 3 out, disputed 2nd 2 out and last, kept on well run-in and secured 2nd final 110 yards
Withdrawn
Definitly Red won this last year but hasn’t looked in the same form this season and this once high-class chaser is easily the senior runner in this. Aso was only beaten a neck by TWO FOR GOLD at Warwick and is 9lb better off but that was over 2m4f, which his trip. Kim Bailey’s charge has already won over this course and distance and can confirm the form and also prove too strong for Lake View Lad, who won the Many Clouds at Aintree in December but was then tailed off at Sandown when both Native River and Santini reversed the form. Cloth Cap was an impressive winner of the Ladbroke Trophy in November and is one of the favourites for next month’s Grand National but he may be having a prep race here. Cool Mix has a very stiff task at the weights.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up off the pace in 5th, jumped slowly 3rd and 15th, behind and struggling 17th, no chance after, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Native River (11-6) at Sandown 3m (1) hvy in Feb.
Cloth Cap (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Jumped well, led until 3rd, in front again 5th, made rest, clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Nov beating Aye Right (11-0) by 10l, 18 ran.
Definitly Red (IRE) 18-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4th, tracked winner when fell 11th, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Two For Gold (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-6) Close up, led 2nd, awkward 5th, narrow advantage when ridden after 3 out, kept lead jumping last, stayed on strongly under pressure flat, held on well close home, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb beating Aso (11-12) by nk, 12 ran.
Aso (FR) 12-1 (11-12) Led narrowly, headed 2nd, close up 11th, ridden to press leader 3 out, stayed on strongly flat, just denied, 2nd of 12, nk behind Two For Gold (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Cool Mix 9-2fav (11-1) Held up in rear, headway from 10th, 3rd before 4 out, no chance with winner, went 2nd 2 out until towards finish, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Romain De Senam (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
