towards rear, ridden approaching last, kept on one pace flat
behind, chased leaders approaching last, soon ridden, kept on flat
always handy, every chance 3 out, driven and no extra close home
led, ridden approaching last, kept on under pressure, until headed and no extra close home
mid-division, outpaced and hit 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching last, driven and kept on well flat to lead near finish
towards rear, outpaced and held when fell 3 out
towards rear, beaten from 7th
refused to race
always handy, every chance 3 out, blundered next, soon ridden and one pace
Nonrunner
With grounds for concern over both Daldini and Le Roi Rouge we will side with CAST IRON CASEY in this handicap chase, while Nikola is respected. The selection loves it around here, having won on fast ground at the track last May and also gone close to the very useful Kalahari King here on good to soft in October. He has not been seen out since winning at Sedgefield in November, but he has won when fresh so that should be no major issue, and given that he still looks to have the speed for this shorter trip we will give him the nod. Daldini is in cracking form with back-to-back wins at Wetherby and Newcastle in January and February. He has the beating of Nikola when the pair met last season at Haydock, but all his best form is on soft ground and this might be too quick for him. Conversely, Nikola does enjoy a sound surface and with the yard going well he looks capable of reversing those placings. Le Roi Rouge would also want it softer to be seen to best effect, and although he races over his optimum trip he looks worth taking on unless there is significant rain. Bill's Echo looks to be in the grip of the assessor for now and Natiain races here over a trip way short of his best, so preference is for the more solid Cast Iron Casey.
Marcel (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching last, gradually weakened, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Gringo (11-4) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Bill's Echo 11-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, hit 10th, weakened after 5 out, 9th of 16, well behind Possol (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Sharp Reply (USA) 6-1 (11-6) Mistake 1st, with leader, led 10th, blundered and headed 2 out, no extra approaching last, 5th of 7, 10l behind Nudge And Nurdle (11-6) at Perth 3m nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Nikola (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, tracked winner from 4 out, ridden 3 out, held from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Lorient Express (10-10) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Cast Iron Casey (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division on inside, headway 4 out, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Torkinking (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Tom's Toybox 14-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 9, 28l behind Leslingtaylor (11-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Feb.
Manhattan Boy (GER) 22-1 (11-3) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, no impression when blundered 2 out, 7th of 15, 25l behind Prosecco (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 2-1fav (11-11) Held up, outpaced halfway, ridden 3 out, hard driven to lead near line, won at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Hollows Mill (10-0) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Natiain 10-1 (10-12) Led, ridden approaching last, soon headed and no extra, 2nd of 4, 26l behind Money Trix (11-4) at Kelso 2m 6f chs (2) sft in Feb.
Seeyaaj 15-2 (11-11) Mid-division, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Nodform William (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct, 15 ran.
Daldini 13-2 (11-1) Made all, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb beating Jack The Blaster (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
