led, headed and pulled up before 8th (bled from the nose)
chased leaders, went 2nd 8th until 9th, led after 4 out, pecked 3 out, stayed on well flat, ridden out
held up, mistake 3rd, slow next, closed before 5th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance 3 out until last, held flat, kept on
held up, headway when slow 8th, went 2nd next until not fluent 4 out, 3 lengths 3rd when fell 4 out
not that fluent, chased leader, pecked 6th, led before 8th, headed after 4 out, weakening when left 3rd 3 out
Fraternel has been raised 9lb for winning at Hereford but this faster surface may prove problematic. There are no such worries concerning BOOTLEGGER (NAP), who should also appreciate this extra distance on the back of last month’s victory at Doncaster and Tristan Davidson’s charge can go in again. Flashing Glance has won off today’s mark over hurdles while Aye Aye Charlie looks more favourably treated than Equus Dancer if rediscovering his best.
Flashing Glance 11-2 (11-7) Pressed leader, led 4th, headed 10th, upsides 12th, blundered and unseated rider 13th, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Equus Dancer (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Towards rear, slow jump 6th, ridden 3 out, held after 2 out, 4th of 7, 16l behind Chapel Stile (11-13) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Bootlegger (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up in midfield, headway to chase leaders 4th, went second before 4 out, pushed along to lead next, kept on well from 2 out, won at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Mar beating On A Promise (11-7) by 4 3/4l, 8 ran.
Fraternel (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Towards rear, midfield 6th, smooth progress to chase leaders 11th where not fluent, hit 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, almost upsides last, stayed on to lead flat, all out, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Mar beating Oski (11-11) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 5-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, bit closer at 12th, hit 14th and lost place, soon behind, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Run To Milan (10-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Mar.