led, headed 3rd, tracked leaders, led again 10th, joined 4 out, ridden and headed last, kept on one pace
in rear, ridden 5 out, soon struggling and pulled up before next
prominent, led 5th, headed 10th, prominent, reminders 6 out, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace
tracked leading trio, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, kept on one pace
in touch, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
prominent, led 3rd, headed 5th, prominent, every chance from 4 out, ridden to lead at last, driven out
NonRunner
Most of these are looking to put disappointing efforts behind them including BUSTER VALENTINE, though the latter faces an easier task today. A beaten favourite at Wetherby last time having earlier finished runner-up at the same track, the return to soft ground will also suit Mark Walford’s charge. Second at Carlisle in November, First Account was another beaten favourite when second over track and trip while Dragonfruit failed to complete behind the winner Scoop The Pot at Newcastle. The latter and Methodtothemadness were both pulled up on their latest starts.
Buster Valentine (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Chased leaders out wide, led 9th until pushed along before 4 out, dropped to 3rd before next, ridden and no impression before 2 out, no chance with leadg duo, 3rd of 6, 10 1/2l behind Mr Whipped (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Paris Texas (FR) 28-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, slight mistake 10th, ridden and no impression 3 out, no extra next, pulled up before last, at Punchestown 2m 7f hcp hvy in Dec.
Dragonfruit 11-4fav (11-6) Raced wide tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 12th, pulled up 4 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Methodtothemadness (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened rapidly 11th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Scoop The Pot (IRE) 11-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, not fluent 10th, slow 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Seemingly So (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Led, hampered and headed 6th, tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 24 3/4l behind Houston Texas (11-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp (5) sft in Feb.
First Account 6-4fav (11-12) Tracked leader, led 5th, headed 7th, not fluent 12th, led after 14th, headed before 4 out, soon beaten, not fluent 3 out, well held and not fluent 2 out or last, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Pookie Pekan (11-1) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
