tracked leader, led 2nd until after 5th, led 6th, headed last, no impression flat
tracked leaders, took keen hold, pushed along after 7th, weakened 3 out
led, jumped slowly 1st, headed next, led after 5th, headed when not fluent 6th, ridden after 7th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
in touch, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, pushed along after 7th, went close 2nd 3 out, led last, ridden clear
tracked leaders, outpaced 7th, rallied approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Regal Diamond was clearly out of his depth in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last time but would probably win this if repeating his earlier second to Aubusson at that track. Floral Spinner appears to have the beating of Painted Gold on a line through Land Of Vic but is proving hard to win with while Master Butcher races for the first time since November, though is probably still improving. IVY GATE finished six lengths ahead of Sybarite on heavy ground at Towcester last month and the pair re-oppose on identical terms. There is no reason why Jonjo O'Neill's charge shouldn't come out on top again and he gets the vote as Island Cruise was probably flattered by his run behind Ampleforth here last time.
Island Cruise (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, lost place after 4 out, no impression in 4th before next, went 3rd last, kept on flat, not reach front pair, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Ampleforth (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) hvy.
Master Butcher (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, hard ridden 4 out, soon under pressure, left in 3rd at last, 3rd of 7, 6l behind The Last Samuri (11-5) at Bangor 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Regal Diamond (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Prominent on inside, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Red Sherlock (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Sybarite (FR) 9-2 (10-12) In rear, headway to track leaders 6th, mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 16l behind Tidal Dance (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Floral Spinner 10-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, hit 4 out, soon outpaced, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression, 4th of 8, 14l behind Land Of Vic (10-11) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) hvy.
Ivy Gate (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Led, took keen hold, headed after 1st, tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 6, 10l behind Tidal Dance (10-12) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Painted Gold 50-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 7th, outpaced in 5th well before 3 out, went poor 4th before last, 4th of 11, well behind Land Of Vic (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
