in touch, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and held run-in
chased leaders, led before 2 out, kept on well run-in
held up rear division, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace in 5th
chased leaders early, soon mid-division, ridden before 2 out, kept on run-in
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never a factor
led, headed before 2 out, kept on same pace
behind, jumped left 6 out, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden before last, soon weakened
close up, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, lost place before 4 out
mid-division, pushed along after 5 out, weakened from 4 out, soon tailed off
towards rear and keen, blundered 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace and no impression
held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous
in touch, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression
held up mid-division, weakened before 3 out
This Grade 3 has been transferred from Sandown but looks well up to standard. Nicky Henderson has won it twice since 2009 and saddles Keen On, who was on a hat-trick when fourth in a Grade 2 at Warwick in January, and Falco Blitz. The latter edged out Blackfinch at Ascot last time with Thegallantway fourth. David Pipe also has two runners with First Lord De Cuet possibly better handicapped than Eden Du Houx, though Tom Scudamore rides the latter. Paul Nicholls is represented by Mcfabulous but he is 8lb worse off than when beating HOMETOWN BOY almost four lengths at Market Rasen. Stuart Edmunds’ charge could be the pick of the weights on that run and neither trip nor going are a concern. Sevarano never seems to run a bad race and his Doncaster conqueror The Macon Lugnatic won at Town Moor on Thursday under a penalty so Oliver Sherwood’s runner looks a threat to all. Hurricane Harvey should also be in the firing-line.
Keen On 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th until after 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 5, 10l behind Mossy Fen (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (1) sft in Jan.
Sevarano (IRE) 13-8 (11-13) Held up in touch, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, not quicken, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind The Macon Lugnatic (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
McFabulous (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, led after last, ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f (3) gs in Feb beating Hometown Boy (11-8) by 3 3/4l, 4 ran.
Falco Blitz (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Held up in touch, ridden to lead last, edged left flat, driven out, won at Ascot 2m 6f (3) hvy in Jan beating Blackfinch (11-2) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Hurricane Harvey 8-11fav (11-8) Tracked leaders on inside, challenged going well after 3 out, led next, ridden and asserted flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan beating Southfield Harvest (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Igor 11-10fav (11-9) Always well placed, reminder after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 13 1/2l behind The Macon Lugnatic (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Hometown Boy (IRE) 13-8 (11-8) Led, strongly challenged from 2 out, headed after last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 4, 3 3/4l behind Mcfabulous (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 5f (3) gs in Feb.
Eden Du Houx (FR) 6-1 (10-13) Most chased winner until after 3 out, soon outpaced, plugged on, blundered last, kept on run-in, almost snatched 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 15, 16 1/2l behind Nordano (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Stimulating Song 11-4 (11-8) Held up mid-division, went 4th before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and held close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Gaelik Coast (11-8) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Shang Tang (IRE) 10-11fav (11-2) Chased leaders, 3rd on long run before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, switched right and stayed on run-in, strong challenge close home, just held, 2nd of 12, hd behind Butterwick Brook (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
War Lord (GER) 3-1 (11-12) Raced wide, led until after 4th, chased leader, led again 2 out, ridden and strongly pressed run-in, found bit extra towards finish, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Ashutor (11-12) by nk, 5 ran.
First Lord De Cuet (FR) 13-8 (11-4) Chased leader, challenged 4th, led 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, not fluent last, held flat, kept on, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Ebony Jewel (10-12) at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Blackfinch 5-2 (11-2) With leader, every chance when hit 2 out, soon ridden, ran on flat, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Falco Blitz (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f (3) hvy in Jan.
Thegallantway (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders 3 out, went 3rd soon after, ridden and one pace between last 2, went 2nd run-in and closed, always held, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind St Barts (11-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Olly The Brave 16-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, driven and outpaced after 2 out, never on terms, weakened before last, last of 8, 22 1/4l behind Chantry House (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Adicci (IRE) 1-8fav (11-9) Tracked winner, challenged 2 out, soon led, a length up when fell last, at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) hvy in Feb.
Republican 10-3 (11-8) Always prominent, chased winner from 7th, beaten after 2 out, 2nd of 7, 20l behind Pileon (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f (4) hvy in Jan.
Buzz De Turcoing (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner before last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 11l behind Glynn (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
