with leaders, weakened and blundered 7th, pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake 6th, pulled up before next
with leaders, narrow lead 3 out, strongly pressed 2 out, headed before last, weakened and lost 2nd run-in
made most until mistake and narrowly headed 3 out, stayed challenging, driven approaching 2 out and soon weakened
always behind, hit 4th, blundered 7th
held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, chased leaders on outside after 3 out, chance when hung right from 2 out, 3rd and beaten when hit last
held up in rear, no chance when hit 3 out
in rear, some headway into mid-division 6th, weakened next
in touch, chased leading pair after 3 out, upsides 2 out, driven ahead before last, stayed on strongly
chased leaders, hit 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out
in touch, driven along and hit 3 out, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, went 2nd run-in
chased leaders until mistake and lost place 4th, driven and some headway after 3 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Treasury Counsel, Our Jasper, Tritonville Lodge and Star Shot are a handful against the field in another wide open affair and the tentative vote is given to Treasury Counsel. The selection was a fair third behind You'll Do For Me last time out. That form looks rock solid amd off the same mark and with the step up in trip likely to bring about improvement he looks the one to be on. Our Jasper rates the main danger on his latest third behind Livingonaknifedge but all his best form is on a softer surface and he is taken on with this in mind. Tritonville Lodge is another worthy of respect on his best form but he disappointed for no apparent reason last time out so can not be put forward with any confidence. Star Shot has dropped to a handy mark and could improve for this faster ground so should be watched in the market. Of the remainder, Nation State is better on a softer surface and in a race that throws up more questions than answers for the winner we return to Treasury Counsel.
Tango Royal (FR) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd after 10th until after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 6, 27l behind Kauto Star (11-10) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Feb.
Nation State 12-1 (10-2) Mid-division, some progress 6th, no impression 3 out, 19th of 28, 19l behind Burntoakboy (9-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.
Absolut Power (GER) 16-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, kept on one pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 21l behind Beau Michel (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
Our Jasper 10-3 (11-1) Held up in touch, reminders after 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 3rd of 7, 24l behind Livingonaknifedge (10-13) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft.
Sultan Fontenaille (FR) 33-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Beau Michel (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb, 12 ran.
Tritonville Lodge (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Always behind, 12th of 15, well behind Harrycat (11-1) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Jul.
Star Shot (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, ridden to chase winner 3 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 12, 6l behind Festive Chimes (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Fast Mix (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Held up on outer, headway approaching 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 10, 33l behind Commercial Flyer (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) gd in Apr '05.
Treasury Counsel (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Chased leader from 2nd, led last, soon headed and weakened, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Youll Do For Me (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Macmar (FR) 17-2 (11-11) Towards rear, headway 5th, ridden 4 out, plugged on, 6th of 12, 17l behind Whitford Don (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Corker 4-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 3 out, weakened befre last, 3rd of 8, 27l behind Gabier (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Cusp 9-4fav (11-4) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft beating Hot Lips Page (11-6) by 5l, 8 ran.
Dangerously Good 50-1 (10-3) In rear, driven along after 4th, no response, 24th of 28, 37l behind Burntoakboy (9-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gs.