tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd 3 out, led narrowly last, one length ahead when hung left under pressure and carried winner left at elbow on run in, soon headed, kept on same pace
tracked leader, led 4th, mistake 6th, mistake and headed 8th, stayed in touch, trying to rally on inside when mistake 3 out (normal 4 out), soon beaten
held up in last pair, headway on inside to track leaders 5th(water), weakened soon after 11th
tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th, led before 3 out (normal 4 out), narrowly headed last, stayed challenging, ridden and one length down when carried left at elbow on run in, not much room and squeezed through, soon led again, driven out
led until 4th, chased leader, led again 8th, headed 11th, chased winner until 3 out (normal 4 out), chased leaders until weakened bypassing omitted 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 8th and next, went 4th bypassing omitted 3 out, stayed on same pace and no impression from next
in touch until lost place 3rd, headway to chase leaders after 10th, went 3rd next and driven along, one pace and no impression from 2 out
Nonrunner
Paul Nicholls and Venetia Williams are both doubly represented in this. Jockey bookings would suggest course winner ULCK DU LIN might be the pick of the former's pair as, though he's been a bit disappointing this season, he's feasibly handicapped at present and has winning form on the track - he gets a tentative vote. Shangani looks to have the better chance of the latter's two runners having run in this grade at Cheltenham in January before finishing second to Une Artiste at Kempton. Dashing George bounced back to winning ways at Fakenham last month but this is much tougher and Majala and Tara Rose are out of sorts at present.
Rebel Rebellion (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Chased clear leader until 8th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and beaten before last, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 19l behind Grey Gold (11-2) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) hvy in Feb.
Majala (FR) 6-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, effort before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 7, 20l behind Mr Moonshine (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Ulck Du Lin (FR) 11-1 (10-7) Held up in last pair, outpaced on long run before 2 out, never able to challenge, weakened before last, 8th of 10, 41l behind Wishfull Thinking (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) hvy in Jan.
Shangani (USA) 6-1 (11-7) Led, blundered 3rd, hit 7th, hit 11th, headed 12th, chased winner, hit 4 out and ridden, driven and tried to rally as winner hung left between last 2, 1 length down last, no extra and held flat, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Une Artiste (10-3) at Kempton 2m 4f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy in Feb.
Dashing George (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Mistake 1st and rider lost iron, joined leader next, led 3rd, made rest, left clear 3 out, rider dropped whip after next, increased lead approaching last, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb beating Sir Lynx (10-5) by 11l, 5 ran.
Tara Rose 5-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway before 9th, ridden before last, no impression, 6th of 7, 21l behind Bally Legend (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Dec.
Elenika (FR) 11-10fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake and dropped to rear 12th, hit next, soon ridden and plugged on same pace, 4th of 5, 18l behind Dashing George (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
Nadiya De La Vega (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Held up in last pair, no real impression when blundered 14th, no chance after, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Planet Of Sound (11-12) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Jan.
