chased leaders on inside, hit 4th and slightly lost place, rallied 10th, plugged on in 3rd from 2 out, no chance with leading duo
led until before 4th, chased leader until before 6th, chased leaders, weakened before 12th, no chance when badly hampered by faller next, plugged on
chased leader, led before 4th, clear and going strongly when fell 4 out
pulled hard, held up, good headway on outside chasing leaders 5th, 2nd before next, left in narrow lead and hampered 4 out, headed before next, weakened 2 out
raced wide, chased leaders, went left 1st, mistake and lost place slightly 12th, rallied and left 3rd next, 2nd 3 out, went left last, led next, hung left and headed run-in, stayed on same pace
held up in 6th, pushed along and headway chasing leaders approaching 10th, left 2nd 4 out, led before next until 2 out, edged left and rallied gamely to lead again run-in
always in rear, not fluent 7th, tailed off when blundered 10th, pulled up before 3 out
Commanche Red and Erick Le Rouge both won handicaps over track and trip last time. The former has the higher rating but the latter is a real course specialist who won on this card 12 months ago. Pistol Whipped is looking to make amends for a first-fence fall at Leicester having won at that track on his chasing bow. Who Dares Wins has won over hurdles and a Northumberland Plate on the Flat but doesn’t look a natural jumper of fences. Paul Nicholls runs easy Musselburgh winner Southfield Stone but also MASTER TOMMYTUCKER. The latter led until falling four out in the Kauto Star over 3m here in December having beaten Who Dares Wins over 2m2f here earlier - he could find this trip ideal.
Commanche Red (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Mid-division on inside, closer approaching 10th where slightly hampered, soon chasing leaders, went 2nd 12th, led approaching 3 out, clear before next, stayed on strongly, eased towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Simply The Betts (11-8) by 9l, 11 ran.
Erick Le Rouge (FR) 7-2 (11-6) Tracked leader who went clear at 6th, hit 10th, closer 4 out, led before next, ridden clear before last, kept on well and always doing enough run-in, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Gowiththeflow (11-0) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Master Tommytucker 5-2 (11-7) Led until fell 4 out, at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Pistol Whipped (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Tracking leader when fell 1st, at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Southfield Stone 10-11fav (10-12) With leader, led before 9th, blundered next, drew readily clear before 3 out, in no danger when went left next, easily, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f (3) gs in Feb beating Espoir De Teillee (11-4) by 24l, 3 ran.
Who Dares Wins (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader who soon went clear, blundered badly 6th, left in narrow lead and hampered 4 out, headed bend before 2 out, ridden between last 2, kept on well towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 4, nk behind De Plotting Shed (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 4f (3) sft in Jan.
Queen's Magic (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th on inside, headway into 4th when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 5f lst (1) gs in Dec.
