tracked leaders, ridden before 4 out, remote 3rd when blundered and nearly unseated rider 3 out
held up when fell first
in rear, lost touch 4th, tailed off from 8th
mistakes, led, headed 7th, chased winner until outpaced by winner from 2 out
tracked leader, pressed leader 3rd, led 7th, clear from 2 out, ran on, comfortable
Knocknagow Leader has been off the track since disappointing at Gowran in November and has his first start for Jonjo O'Neill today. Courella is another best watched on his first outing since scoring off an 8lb lower mark at Fontwell last September. Bradford Boris won over C&D just over a year ago but has struggled off much higher marks this term while the consistent Double The Trouble is still 6lb higher than his last win. DEAD OR ALIVE hasn't raced under Rules since last August but loves this fast ground and showed himself to be in rude health with a gutsy victory in a point-to-point at Lydstep last month - he has solid claims in this.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) (12-7) (tt) ap; lft clr 13; fin tired, won at Lydstep 3m ptp gs in Feb beating Balearic Star (12-0) by 8l, 5 ran.
Knocknagow Leader (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Soon tracked leader, on terms 6 out, ridden in 2nd before straight, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 8, 18l behind Peak Raider (11-0) at Gowran Park 2m 2f hcp chs 0-116 hvy in Nov.
Courella (IRE) 9-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, steady headway approaching 10th, went 2nd before 3 out going well, ridden after 2 out, edged left and led close home, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sep beating Morestead (11-2) by ns, 10 ran.
Bradford Boris 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 6th, lost place 10th, well behind before 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Bugsy's Boy (10-4) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Double The Trouble 12-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, challenged 10th, led 12th, headed 5 out, chased winner to 3 out, soon no impression, kept on, just held for 2nd, 3rd of 9, 9l behind Aerial (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
