chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 9th, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, pushed along after 7th, behind when fell 9th
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, kept on well
led, headed approaching 2 out, soon outpaced
chased leader, driven along 8th, lost place next
in touch, ridden after 8th, stayed on from 2 out
held up, headway 9th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, ridden 5th, quickly lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
held up, hit 3rd, ridden 9th, kept on from 2 out, hung left after last
chased leaders until lost place 9th
always behind, tailed off from 9th
Nonrunner
The vote goes to Pass It On, who is preferred to Livingonaknifedge and Witch Wind, who make the most appeal in a race rich in numbers but poor in quality. Witch Wind has paid his way at this sort of level and was far from disgraced in finishing fifth in a Grade 2 last time out. This is more his level and he is expected to at least make the frame. Livingonaknifedge picks up a 7lb penalty for his success at Bangor and faces a stiff test at the weights. However, he has relatively few miles on the clock and, with the ground to suit, the eight-year-old, who seemed revitalised by the switch back to hurdles last week, can be expected to go close. However, Pass It On is open to the most improvement and, as such, the son of Accordion edges the verdict on this occasion.
Pass It On (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 6th, no chance after, 4th of 5, well behind Labelthou (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Fullards 5-1 (11-0) In touch, left 2nd at 7th until 11th, soon weakened and behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Its Crucial (10-13) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 9 ran.
Gidam Gidam (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, ridden after 9th, one pace from next, 6th of 16, 29l behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Model Son (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Prominent, blundered 7th, lost place after 9th, beaten when pulled up 5 out in race won by The Outlier (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan, 9 ran.
Witch Wind 25-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, some headway 8th, weakened next, 5th of 6, 40l behind Labelthou (11-1) at Haydock 2m 7f hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Xellance (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, ridden and one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Highland Games (11-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Dark Corner 8-1 (11-10) Led and set steady pace, headed briefly 6th, ridden 4 out, headed and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 11, 29l behind What A Scientist (11-10) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Fourboystoy (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, hit 9th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Only Vintage (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Emmasflora 50-1 (10-6) With leader until fell in race won by Howle Hill (11-10) at Warwick 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Im A Witness (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, hit and reminders 7th, mistake next, under pressure from 3 out, plugged on, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Fabrezan (FR) 33-1 (11-3) Led 1st, headed next, weakened after 4th, lost touch 7th, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Whitford Don (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Livingonaknifedge (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, hit 7th, led approaching 3 out, clear before 2 out, easily, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft beating Speed Venture (10-0) by 16l, 7 ran.
Junkanoo 22-1 (11-0) Always behind, 13th of 16, well behind Copsale Lad (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Smart Boy Prince (IRE) 40-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened after 7th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Burntoakboy (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 10 ran.
Carew Lad 6-1 (11-4) Led until blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Fast Forward (11-4) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Feb, 5 ran.
