tracked leader, pushed along and 5 lengths down after 3 out, closed next, ridden and effort between last 2, ran on well inside final 100 yards, led post
close up in rear, went 3rd before 2 out, soon outpaced and ridden, never able to get on terms with clear pair, well held when fell last
reluctantly led, slow 1st, shaken up and went clear after 4 out, ridden when pressed between last 2, edged right after last, kept on, caught post
disputed 2nd to 4th, chased front pair, driven and dropped to rear before 2 out, soon left well behind, left remote 3rd last
RESERVE TANK opened his account with a victory at Sandown last month. Colin Tizzard’s charge should just edge this on today’s terms, despite carrying a penalty, with further progress expected stepping up in trip. Darling Maltaix won a handicap hurdle in December but has come up short in a couple of subsequent starts while The Cashel Man found one too good when sent off favourite at Uttoxeter last time. Top Up The Fashion finished runner-up between the flags in November but has no easy task debuting under Rules.
Reserve Tank (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway and pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, led 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Feb beating Elusive Belle (11-1) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Darling Maltaix (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Held up in last pair, steady headway on outside 4 out, chased leaders before 2 out, unable to quicken between last 2, weakened soon after, left modest 5th last, 5th of 10, 12 1/2l behind Brio Conti (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
The Cashel Man (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went left 3rd, driven into 2nd after 3 out, hit next, ridden and one pace between last 2, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Ardlethen (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f (3) gd in Feb.
Top Up The Fashion (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Prom, 4th 5out, clsr 3out, prog 2out, sow bef last, nt mtch wnr, ko, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Chazza (11-6) at Lingstown 3m mdn gd in Nov.
