Iskabeg Lane is the only previous course winner in this line-up but the handicapper looked to be in charge last time at Uttoxeter. ZAYFIRE ARAMIS (NAP) won at Leicester in January and was then a close third off this mark at Huntingdon behind an in-form rival. That’s better form than Royals And Rebels’ placed efforts at Fontwell and Southwell and also Square Viviani’s third at Wetherby. Old Salt has yet to figure over fences but continues to slip down the weights.
Old Salt (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up, slow 2nd and 5th, not fluent 9th, mistake 11th, well beaten 4 out, last of 8, dist behind Kincora Fort (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Square Viviani (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, headway before 4 out, one pace before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 19l behind Allmyown (10-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Zayfire Aramis 9-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th or 2 out, went 3rd last, switched left flat, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Ratify (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Iskabeg Lane (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Led until 6th, soon led again, ridden before 4 out, headed bypassing omitted 3 out, weakened next, last of 5, 34 1/2l behind Jaune Et Bleue (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Royals And Rebels (IRE) 10-3 (12-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner from next, lost 2nd last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 4, 7 3/4l behind Call Carlo (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Court Painter (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Led, headed run-in, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Bocasien Desbois (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Mar.
