chased leaders, lost place after 6th, closed when not clear run off final bend, went 2nd before 2 out, no impression approaching last
held up in mid-division, not fluent 1st, headway after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, plugged on
led into start, made all, clear at various stages, quickened away again before last, ran on
chased leaders, went 2nd from 6th until final bend, weakening when mistake 2 out
chased winner until 6th, went 2nd again final bend until before 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, closed 6th, fell 3 out
held up towards rear, closed on outside 4th, slow 6th, disputing 2nd next, weakened before 2 out
NonRunner
FLETCH won a novice hurdle at Uttoxeter in February and has undergone wind surgery since. Further progress looks likely with Olly Murphy’s yard in fine form and he gets the vote on his handicap debut. Ernesto also makes his handicap bow after placing at Warwick last month while Universal Folly found only one too good at Musselburgh back in November and could go well. Wincanton third Diamond Rose is upped in class and Shetland Bus went close in an all-weather bumper last time.
Shetland Bus (GER) 9-1 (11-2) In rear, headway and hung from over 2f out, switched right over 1f out, challenged entering final furlong, stayed on, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Plan Of Escape (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Feb.
Ernesto (GER) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division, closed 5th, went 2nd from 2 out, not fluent last, no impression on winner, kept on, 2nd of 11, 4l behind On To Victory (11-7) at Warwick 2m (4) sft in Mar.
Giovanni Change (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden over 3f out, almost upsides over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 13, 16 1/4l behind Wise Eagle (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Universal Folly 9-4jfav (11-9) Held up in touch, restrained into midfield 2nd, headway 8th, ridden before 2 out when slightly hampered by faller, hit last, kept on without troubling winner flat, 2nd of 13, 5 1/2l behind Celtic Flames (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Wasdell Dundalk (FR) 13-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, found little, 5th of 13, 31l behind Gold Runner (10-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Donald Dux (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Towards rear, switched towards near side 3f out, ridden over 2f out, one pace from over 1f out, 8th of 11, 5 1/2l behind Set In Stone (11-3) at Newcastle 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Diamond Rose 9-1 (11-9) Restrained in midfield, headway on outside 3 out, close up when ridden 2 out, jumped last in 3rd, stayed on flat, 3rd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Admiral Balko (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Fletch (FR) 4-9fav (11-2) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, shaken up before 4 out, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear when not fluent 2 out, ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) hvy in Feb beating Gadjet D'ainay (11-2) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
