in touch, headway to track leader 4 out, led 2 out, ridden out
led, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, pushed along 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to go 3rd flat
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leader until pushed along 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up next
in rear, pushed along 6th, struggling when hit 4 out, pulled up soon after 2 out
BARRIER PEAKS has improved markedly since stepping up to this sort of trip and had a bit in hand when completing a double at Uttoxeter. He's been hit with a 10lb rise but looks the one to beat. Calidad had been running poorly over fences before reverting to hurdles with a fine run at Hereford where he led for a long way. Lone Star lost his maiden tag with a convincing victory at Newcastle for which he's been raised 7lb but winning bumper Dancingontheedge has disappointed so far over timber. Escobedo did a bit better at Wincanton but hasn't raced beyond the minimum trip.
Barrier Peaks (FR) 5-4fav (11-0) Held up, headway tracking leaders 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, kept on well flat, comfortably, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan beating Waterloo Quay (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 13 ran.
Calidad (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Led and disputed, outright leader 4 out, went clear before omitted 2 out, narrowly headed turning in, ridden and no extra before the last, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Maillot Blanc (11-9) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Lone Star 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 2 out, every chance next, led flat, ran on(hurdle after winning post omitted), won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec beating Coral Blue (11-6) by 4 3/4l, 18 ran.
Dancingontheedge (FR) 7-2fav (11-2) Led, hit 4th, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened between last two, mistake last, 7th of 14, 13l behind Gata Ban (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Dec.
Mr Palmtree (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 16th, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, jumped right last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 13, 6 3/4l behind Ede'iffs Elton (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Escobedo 9-2 (10-12) Held up, some headway from off pace approaching 2 out, late headway for 3rd, never on terms, 3rd of 8, 10l behind Cornicello (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Kimberley Eve 28-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden in mid-division after 4 out, soon beaten, tailed off and pulled up after omitted 2 out, at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
L'Es Fremantle (FR) 200-1 (9-5) Soon led, headed over 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 12th of 13, 31 3/4l behind Bond Spirit (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f stks (6) pol in Jan.