held up towards rear, headway 3 out, never on terms
in touch, headway 4 out, led next, headed 2 out, weakened
prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, under pressure when fell 3 out
always prominent, led 2 out, stayed on strongly
always behind, some late headway, never a threat
held up in touch, slow 4th, weakened 6th, soon tailed off, pulled up 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ran on after last, nearest finish
chasing leaders when fell 6th
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon under pressure and weakened, pulled up before next
held up in touch, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led until 3 out, soon rallied and every chance, weakening when mistake last
held up in touch, headway 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, kept on same pace closing stages
held up towards rear, under pressure after 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 3 out, never a factor
always behind
mid-division, headway 3 out, weakening when mistake next
mid-division, hit 4 out, headway 2 out, never on terms
NonRunner
A decent prize has attracted a huge field. A number of these are stepping into handicap company for the first time and also trying a longer trip but Bandsman has to go on the short-list as he beat last week’s Imperial Cup winner London Prize off level weights at Market Rasen over Christmas. On collateral form, he looks to have the beating of the hat-trick seeking Casper King. Top Tug recorded his only victory to date over hurdles at this track while Brio Conti easily beat a subsequent winner at Doncaster in January. Stablemates Sleep Easy and Solomn Grundy could also figure and Market Rasen winner Dream Berry is best going right-handed so also has a chance. Donagh Meyler’s claim puts Tony Martin’s raider in the picture but DIVINE SPEAR’s run behind Air Horse One at Ascot was franked when the winner finished strongly into fourth in the County Hurdle and Nicky Henderson’s charge is taken to go one better.
Sleep Easy 6-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, well in touch 3 out, challenged going well next, led before last where jumped right, ridden clear flat, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Town Parks (11-10) by 5l, 6 ran.
Duke Street (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) With leader, ridden to lead over 1f out, held on towards finish, won at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (4) pol in Feb beating Aldreth (9-6) by hd, 9 ran.
Mister Fizz 66-1 (11-10) Chased leader, led narrowly 6th until 4 out, chased leaders, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened soon after, 11th of 16, 29l behind Air Horse One (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Keep In Line (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear on outside, lost place normal 3 out, behind when blundered next, 9th of 10, dist behind Wholestone (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) sft in Jan.
Brio Conti (FR) 7-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway on bit to track leaders before 3 out, led 2 out, ran on strongly from last, won at Doncaster 2m 3f mdn (5) gd in Jan beating Wenyerreadyfreddie (11-5) by 9l, 14 ran.
Solomn Grundy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, steady headway from 6th, challenged 2 out, not fluent last, just over 1 length down when switched right flat, ran on, just failed, 2nd of 13, shd behind Agincourt Reef (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Charlemar (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Led, ridden and headed before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 5l behind Chelsea Flyer (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Dream Berry (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, smooth headway after 3 out, mistake last, led closing stages, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Master Of Finance (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Crimson Ark (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Chased leader, led after 2nd, joined and hit 2 out, soon ridden and headed between last two, chased leaders, weakened last, 6th of 13, 9 1/2l behind River Frost (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Divine Spear (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, joined and hit 2 out, heades and no extra run-in, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Air Horse One (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Golden Spear 5-1 (10-2) Held up, soon towards rear, headway to chase leaders on inner straight, kept on run-in, 3rd of 20, 1l behind Ice Cold Soul (10-2) at Leopardstown 2m hcp gd in Jan.
Cottersrock (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Led, hard driven when headed before 4 out, hampered next, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Kilcrea Vale (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) gs in Dec.
El Terremoto (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Close 5th on inside, ridden before 2 out, weakened soon after, 8th of 14, 35 1/2l behind Lord Of The Island (10-10) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chasing leaders next, soon outpaced, weakened before last, 5th of 10, 36 3/4l behind Coo Star Sivola (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 4f lst (1) gs in Jan.
Top Tug (IRE) 3-1fav (11-5) Took keen hold, in touch, headway chasing leaders after 3 out out, went 3rd 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Tommy Silver (11-9) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Casper King (IRE) 4-7fav (11-9) Not fluent, tracked leader, led 4th, mistake and headed 6th, soon led again, clear last, stayed on, won at Fontwell 2m 2f (4) sft in Feb beating Not Another Muddle (11-9) by 5l, 5 ran.
Bandsman 2-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3rd, hit 5th, pressed from 2 out, ridden and headed narrowly flat, rallied to lead again near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec beating London Prize (11-5) by shd, 14 ran.
Nathans Pride (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up, headway on outside chasing leaders 4 out, travelling well before 2 out, slightly impeded 2 out, soon ridden and weakened between last two, 7th of 13, 13 1/2l behind River Frost (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Shwaiman (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Raced keenly, chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 8th of 13, 33 1/2l behind River Frost (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Byron Flyer 7-2 (9-0) Chased leaders, every chance over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, 2nd of 11, nk behind Haines (9-6) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f hcp (2) pol in Feb.
