tracked leader, joined leader 4 out, led before 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, chased winner from last, kept on and always held
mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, blundered 4 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
led, headed before 2 out, weakened before last
in rear, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before last
behind, blundered 4 out, soon struggling, tailed off
in touch, in 5th before 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 3rd, led before last, kept on well
MCGOWAN‘S PASS struggled in a Grade 2 at Haydock last time but was up against better horses than this. He’d earlier won in heavy going at Ayr and may well defy a penalty today. Sam's Gunner opened his account over hurdles with a success at Catterick and is also penalised but collateral form with the selection brings Mighty Thunder into the reckoning on last month’s third over track and trip. Taxmeifyoucan won a juvenile hurdle last summer but proved less than straightforward when unseating at Hexham after that and hasn’t raced since September.
McGowan's Pass 14-1 (11-4) In rear, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, 24 1/4l behind First Flow (11-4) at Haydock 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Sam's Gunner 85-40 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, switched left after last, led last 75 yards, soon ridden, held on well, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Feb beating Scheu Time (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Eagle Ridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 34 3/4l behind Uncle Alastair (12-0) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Keepinupwitdjones 80-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling from 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Jaunty Flyer (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Leonasisland (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Ld 20l adv by 3rd, 25l adv 1/2way, red 4l adv bef 4out,jnd 2out where mstk,wknd quickly,bhnd when pu bef last, at Knockinroe 3m mdn hvy in Nov.
Mighty Thunder 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after last, just held for 2nd place close home, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Cool Mix (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Ofcourseiwill (IRE) 28-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, chased leader, led briefly before 3rd,mistake 6th, lost 2nd approaching 7th, chased leaders, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Jan.
That's Life (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Towards rear, reminders after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, dist behind King Of Realms (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Western Honour (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 16, dist behind Chooseyourweapon (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Taxmeifyoucan (IRE) 9-4fav (9-2) Held up towards rear, pushed along over 4f out, chased winner over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Uber Cool (8-8) at Haydock 1m 6f hcp (3) hvy in Sep.
