in touch in 4th, chased winner run-in, always held
tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, mistake last, no extra and lost 2nd place run-in
in rear, jumped slow, badly outpaced and detached before 4 out, headway after 2 out, no impression
made all, mistake last, kept on well
tracked leaders, soon tracked winner until before 2 out, soon ridden and weakened, soon pulled up
NonRunner
Ann Hamilton won this last year with a 16/1 chance but is struggling to find a race over fences for Nine Altars. Casual Cavalier should reverse Ayr running with Las Tunas on 4lb better terms and will be fancied to pick up the winning thread again but Craiganboy finished well behind Nine Altars before breaking his duck at Ayr and is 4lb worse off. FOREST DES AIGLES ran his best race to date in this country over course and distance three weeks ago. He was just behind a subsequent winner and can get off the mark for new connections if jumping a little better today. Oliver's Gold’s last win came off a higher mark but that was 18 months ago and he’s become unpredictable.
Nine Altars (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, went 2nd from 5 out until no extra from last, 3rd of 6, 16l behind Nomoreblackjack (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) Tracked leader, led 2nd to 5th, with leader, regained narrow lead after 3 out, ridden after next, soon hard pressed, headed flat, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Las Tunas (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Craiganboy (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) In rear, headway 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on well to lead towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Virnon (11-8) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Forest Des Aigles (FR) 9-2 (10-3) With leader, led 3rd, headed before 2 out, ridden and every chance before last, kept on and lost 2nd place run-in, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Clan Legend (11-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Las Tunas (FR) 13-8fav (10-8) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden before last, headed and weakened towards finish, 3rd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Craiganboy (10-13) at Ayr 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Oliver's Gold 18-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 2 out, eased and pulled up, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.