in rear and in touch, took keen hold, mistake 5th, chased winner before 2 out, no impression
led, took keen hold, jumped left throughout, clear from 5th, unchallenged
tracked winner and keen, pecked badly and unseated rider 3rd
tracked leaders in 3rd, left chasing winner from 3rd until before 2 out, no impression
ESCORT'MEN pulled hard and made mistakes on his chasing bow at Fontwell but was still only beaten a length by the 135-rated Balzaccio. The five-year-old should have learned from that experience and can go one better here though Chablais, who won a novice hurdle here in January and has already recorded a victory between the flags, will be poised to take advantage of any errors. The others are likely to be playing for place money.
Border Station (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led approaching 5th until next, chased leaders until weakened approaching 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Cresswell Crusader (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy, 12 ran.
Chablais (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, hit 3rd, headway when hit 3 out, led before next, ridden and stayed on under pressre flat, won at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan beating Sybarite (11-2) by 1l, 17 ran.
Escort'men (FR) 4-5fav (11-3) Pulled hard, held up last, blundered 8th, went 3rd 10th, tracked leader on bit just before 4 out, upsides 2 out, led and not fluent last, ridden flat, foung nil and headed final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Balzaccio (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct.
Knock Boy (IRE) 15-8fav (10-0) Held up behind leaders, went 2nd after 3 out until before last, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 9l behind Noble Witness (11-9) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd.
