prominent on outside, challenged after 7th, led 9th, headed after 3 out, switched right flat, no impression towards finish
held up, slow and awkward 7th, soon ridden and losing touch, slow 8th, well beaten after next
prominent, led 4th, headed 9th, 3rd and one pace before last
prominent, mistake 2nd, led after 2nd, headed when mistake 4th, weakened before 3 out
led until after 3rd, slightly outpaced after 9th, rallied 3 out, soon led, stayed on, clear towards finish
Pembroke House hasn't won for well over two years but wasn't beaten far in similar grade at Hereford in January. Bagging Turf looked as though he might be good enough to win a little race when runner-up at Huntingdon last April but she's run poorly in recent starts. Vicenzo Mio, three times a winner over hurdles, had a couple of runs over fences for Paul Nicholls and didn't perform badly so he should make a bold bid back over the bigger obstacles. FINNEGAN'S GARDEN is 5lb out of the handicap but has the bonus of James Bowen in the saddle and his overall form in similar grade can see him gain his third victory over fences. Changing The Guard was well beaten in a Fakenham seller last time.
Vicenzo Mio (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, pushed along on long run before 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on into modest 4th run-in, 4th of 11, 11l behind Briac (10-1) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Bagging Turf (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) In touch, blundered 5th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 6, 26l behind Cody Wyoming (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Pembroke House 10-1 (10-3) Chased winner 1st, ridden before 3 out, no impression next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Beau Bay (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Changing The Guard 50-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders until ridden with a circuit to go, soon behind, plugged on at own pace, 3rd of 6, dist behind Ascendant (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 4f (5) hvy in Jan.
Finnegan's Garden (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) Behind, ridden before 5 out, headway before 3 out, in 4th last, kept on towards finish, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Beallandendall (11-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.