tracked leaders, took keen hold, upsides when blundered 2 out, weakened before last
led, jumped right 4th, headed 3 out, weakened run-in
always towards rear, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders on outer, led 3 out, headed before last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden and one pace after last
held up towards rear, in rear from 4th, headway from 3 out, kept on to chase winner run-in, no impression
tracked leader, stumbled 4th, led before last, drew clear run-in
in rear, ridden before 2 out, never a factor
mid-division, chased leaders when blundered badly and lost bridle, jumped right 3 out, close up when pulled up before last
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out
Pokfulham has progressed since landing a seller at Musselburgh in January and did well to get the better of Proud Times in novice company over this C&D at the start of the month. Jim Goldie's five-year-old will make a bold bid to defy top weight but this looks an open contest in which a few have decent claims. County Colours would be hard to beat back over hurdles if reproducing the form of his second to Recession Proof at Carlisle in the autumn, while No Supper had Rain Stops Play behind when fifth over C&D last month and has since finished a fair third at Newcastle. King Mak was second to Won More Night at Market Rasen on his latest start but the vote goes to LATIN CONNECTION, who had Marjorie Fife's nine-year-old behind when second at Catterick in January and is weighted to go close here.
Pokfulham (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, soon chasing leaders, led after last, hard ridden, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs beating Proud Times (11-1) by 1l, 15 ran.
Bywell Beau (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) Led to 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, well behind Peddlers Cross (11-10) at Kelso 2m 2f hdl (2) sft in Feb.
The Galloping Shoe 7-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, in 4th and held when blundered 3 out, quickly pulled up, in a race won by Flinty Bay (11-2) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb, 14 ran.
County Colours (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, jumped right first four fences, headed and blundered 7th, in 2nd when fell 11th, in a race won by Tyrone House (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Jan, 8 ran.
Rain Stops Play (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, ridden and one pace from last, 6th of 12, 8l behind Circus Clown (11-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
Latin Connection (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not clear run after 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 16, 6l behind Bocciani (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
King Mak 11-2 (11-6) Led, ridden 2 out, headed flat, kept on one pace, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Won More Night (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
No Supper (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Held up in touch and keen, tracked leaders before 3 out, led before 2 out, headed last, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Willie Hall (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Cool Baranca (GER) 50-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, never a factor, 6th of 10, well behind Desert Cry (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Scarvagh Rose 7-2 (11-9) Held up towards rear, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Just Maddie (10-6) at Catterick 2m mrs nov hcp hdl (0-95) (5) gs in Feb.