prominent, led 2nd, headed 6th, led 8th to 10th, soon driven and lost place
tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, led next, idled flat, driven out
tracked leaders, fell 2nd
prominent, led and blundered 4th, headed 8th, led 10th to 13th, driven and weakened 3 out
tracked leaders, brought down 2nd
held up, blundered 4th, headway 10th, chased leaders 3 out, driven and not quicken from last
held up, ridden 4 out, well behind when pulled up approaching last
led, headed 2nd, lost place 7th, behind 4 out
IT'S LIKE THAT should be straighter for a recent pipe-opener and is taken to score here at the main expense of Sycho Fred. The selection acts well with cut in the ground and despite his advancing years there are plenty more miles left in him. This step back up in trip will be a positive, and we can forgive him his last run in a hunter chase after a lengthy absence. The yard continues in good form and he can return to the winner's enclosure. Sycho Fred is upped 6lbs for winning over course and distance last time. That was a comfortable enough success, but it is possible to pick plenty of holes in the form of the race and so we will take him on as he is unlikely to represent value. Pass The Class looks handicapped to the hilt, but stablemate Cardington is interesting after blowing off the cobwebs at Catterick in January, though he has to prove he handles the ground. Thistlecraft is back on a decent mark but would prefer a sound surface, and It's Like That gets the vote.
Thistlecraft (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) In touch, chased leaders halfway, under pressure 3 out, weakened next, 8th of 12, well behind Ferimon (11-8) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
It's Like That (IRE) 9-2 (12-2) In touch, not fluent 10th, weakened 12th, 6th of 17, 34l behind Baby Run (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 4f hts chs (5) gs in Feb.
Pass The Class (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, mistakes, headway 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Chief Dan George (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Feb.
Keen Warrior 40-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, jumped right 7th, outpaced 5 out, 3rd and beaten when fell 4 out in race won by Lightning Strike (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft in Jan, 4 ran.
Cardington 25-1 (10-10) Mid-division on outside, hit 8th, soon lost place and behind, 10th of 11, 31l behind De Boitron (10-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Held up behind, headway 4 out, joined leaders next, soon led, left clear last, ridden and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Jemez (11-3) by 9l, 11 ran.
Day du Roy (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 5th of 15, 15l behind Cusp (11-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 66-1 (9-11) Chased leader until after 5th, lost place 7th, mistake next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Phardessa (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb, 10 ran.
Sir Brastias 12-1 (11-7) Chased leaders until blundered and lost place 11th, soon behind, 5th of 8, 43l behind Bannister Lane (11-12) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft in Feb.
