chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up mid-division, some headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, led towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th, led after 3 out, headed towards finish
chased clear leader, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, blundered 4th, soon lost place
soon led and raced keen, clear whenjumped left and slow 2nd, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
always behind
mid-division, kept on from 3 out
mid-division, never dangerous
held up, saddle soon slipped, pulled up before 2nd
mid-division, kept on from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance last, kept on flat
always behind
mid-division, effort 3 out, no impression
held up, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
Nonrunner
A decent quality event for this time of the week and in a race that should throw up plenty of future winners, Signs Of Love is narrowly preferred to River Logic and Present Royal. Noel Chance's runner is held in high regard at the yard and following a recent victory at Newbury, they had thoughts of Aintree and Punchestown on the horizon. A good performance here should seal the deal. River Logic was in good heart on the level and has shown ability over hurdles. This is a step up on the Sedgefield contest but he should have benefited from a brief break. Present Royal has to be respected as a runner from the Phillip Hobbs yard. The front runner would not be inconvenienced by any further rain. Boss Imperial was unfancied on British debut but had built up decent figures in France. Lucy Wadham has trained previous winners of this race, so any support should not be ignored. Follow The Colours had a modicum of ability on the level and makes a debut for Michael Scudamore. Gee Dee Nen rates an interesting runner from the Mark Tompkins stable. Proven over middle distances on the flat and capable of handling any surface, it would be folly to dismiss him readily. Mister Benedictine won on debut although the recent form of the Brendan Duke stable is offputting. A fair contest and Signs Of Love is the recommendation.
Boss Imperial (FR) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened quickly approaching 2 out, 16th of 17, 46l behind Gaspara (10-5) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) hvy.
River Logic (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division until weakened after 3 out, 8th of 11, 44l behind Pauillac (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4yo nov hdl (3) hvy in Jan.
Mister Benedictine 20-1 (11-8) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, headway soon after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 8th of 13, 40l behind Poquelin (10-12) at Kempton 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
President Royal (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Made all, shaken up to go clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 1f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) hvy in Feb beating Kinetic Power (10-11) by 8l, 6 ran.
Asleep At The Back (IRE) 10-3fav (8-12) In touch, led over 4f out, ridden, headed over 1f out, no extra, 4th of 13, 9l behind Red River Rock (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f Stks (41-45) (7) fbs in Jan (Flat).
Follow The Colours (IRE) 15-2 (8-10) Reluctant to go to post, in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened 2f out, 10th of 13, 13l behind Lisathedaddy (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 2f app hcp (5) pol in Oct (Flat).
Gavanello 100-1 (10-0) Led, headed 8th, weakened after next, 7th of 14, 31l behind Sa Nau (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Gee Dee Nen 4-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, shaken up over 3f out, ridden and headway over 1f out, ran on close home, 3rd of 7, nk behind Nawow (9-7) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jan (Flat).
Lit Et Mixe (FR) 33-1 (10-9) In touch, staying on when hit last, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 11, 11l behind Signs of Love (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft.
Moon Melody (GER) 4-1 (10-3) Chased leaders and mistakes, reminders 5th, lost place from 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Needwood Spirit (10-7) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Spare Me 7-1 (10-12) Disputed lead until ridden and one pace approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Soubriquet (10-9) at Kelso 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) hvy.
Stellenbosch (USA) 22-1 (10-12) Held up, steady headway 5th, ridden and kept on, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Punjabi (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Turbo Shandy 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 6f out, soon outpaced, 14th of 20, well behind Lease Lend (10-12) at Wetherby 1m 6f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Jenise (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Held up, saddle slipped 3rd, behind from 5th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Midnight Diamond (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft.
Night Reveller (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Held up in rear, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 19l behind Olivair (9-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Picacho (IRE) 15-8fav (9-7) In rear, effort 3f out, no impression, 7th of 10, 13l behind Malakiya (9-4) at Bath 2m 1f hcp 0-75 (5) gs in Oct (Flat).
Signs of Love (FR) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Newbury 2m 4yo nov hdl (4) sft beating Mon Michel (10-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Lennoxtown (IRE) 6-1 (8-12) Led, headed over 2f out, weakened quickly over 1f out, 9th of 13, 17l behind Majehar (8-12) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs in Feb (Flat).