in touch main group, chased clear leader (winner) from 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, always well held
behind, struggling 13th, tailed off 5 out
in touch main group, outpaced in 3rd 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never on terms
made virtually all, clear from 3rd, hit 4 out, mistake 2 out, kept on well
in touch main group, lost place 7th, behind when pulled up after 11th
behind, mistake and reminders 12th, lost touch 5 out, plugged on to take modest 4th flat, tailed off
towards rear, driven to chase clear leaders in 4th after 5 out, ridden after next, never able to challenge, lost modest 4th flat, tailed off
BALLYTHOMAS came here for a Class 5 handicap early last month and made most for a very convincing victory, with Bridge End well beaten in third and the well supported Landmarque a long way behind. He's up 8lb and this is a better class race but that was only his fourth start over fences so he can make enough progress to complete a double. Major Ridge had only shown moderate form before scoring at Catterick for which he went up 8lb. He was under pressure when falling at the fourth last at Carlisle next time but Settledoutofcourt, who has won five times over fences though not since 2015, has now dropped to a more favourable mark as a consequence. Vincent Row is still a maiden after 32 starts and though runner-up at Newcastle was beaten a long way.
Settledoutofcourt (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led to 3rd, remained prominent, reminder after 10th, chased winner before 4 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Jonny Eager (10-11) at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Landmarque 4-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders early, soon held up in mid-division, weakened 10th, tailed off, 6th of 10, dist behind Ballythomas (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Bridge End (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Led until approaching 3rd, chased leaders, ridden 4 out, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Ballythomas (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Ballythomas 10-1 (10-7) Always prominent, led approaching 3rd, 10 lengths clear 11th, mistake 3 out, stayed on well, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (5) gd in Feb beating Chain Of Beacons (11-12) by 9l, 10 ran.
Major Ridge (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Led, headed before 10th, still close 3rd when fell 4 out, at Carlisle 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Oscar Lateen (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Soon behind, pushed along and struggling after 6th, tailed off, 7th of 11, dist behind William Money (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
Vincent Row (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Chased leaders on inside, ridden before 3 out, well held 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 19l behind William Money (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
