chased leaders, lost place and raced in midfield after 7th, closer over 4 out, pushed along to lead 2 out, headed last, no extra flat and dropped to 4th closing stages
held up, headway over 4 out, closed when stumbled on landing 3 out, challenged from over 2 out, led last, ran on until reduced lead close home, just held on
held up, pushed along under 4 out, outpaced under 3 out, kept on from before last
held up on inner, headway and chased leaders 8th, challenged from 3 out, hung left after last but soon ran on well, just failed
close up early, led after 1st, headed 3 out, hung right and weakened from over 2 out
close up early, tracked leader after 1st, pushed along and lost place after 12th, ridden and left behind 13th
mid-division, pushed along and outpaced over 4f out, soon held, unseated rider 2 out
close up early, tracked leaders after 1st, slow jump and lost place 3rd, dropped to last before 7th, pushed along and struggling after 8th, dropped away before 13th
held up in rear, headway after 13th, closed before 3 out and soon every chance, outpaced by leaders after last but kept on
chased leaders, headway after 3rd and tracked leader after 7th, led 3 out but soon pressed, headed over 2 out and soon weakened
held up on outer, slow jump 10th, pushed along and struggling after 12th, left behind over 4 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
This is the longest trip that Duc De Beauchene has so far tackled over fences and he should be suited. Keep Wondering won at Haydock in December after a pipe-opener but was only fourth here next time. Ben Pauling has a couple near the head of the weights, both partnered by 3lb claimers. Your Darling is preferred to Slipway while Animal is interesting at the opposite end of the handicap as he is proving to be a better chaser than hurdler. SAM BARTON is 0-5 over fences but has been getting closer. He travelled strongly for a long way over 3m at Southwell last time so this slight drop in distance should help.
Your Darling (IRE) 4-1jfav (10-8) Held up in 5th place, closer in 4th at 11th, hit 3 out, weakened soon after, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jan.
Duc De Beauchene (FR) 17-2 (10-12) Towards rear, in touch, shaken up before 3 out and one paced, pushed along and went into 2nd final fence, kept on, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 11l behind Prince Escalus (11-7) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Slipway (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slow 5th, ridden before 5 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching 3 out, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Keep Wondering (IRE) 3-1fav (11-9) Mid-division, steady headway 10th, chased leaders 14th, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Storm Control (12-3) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Kauto The King (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pushed along and one pace before 3 out, ridden home turn, no impression, 4th of 6, 18 3/4l behind Native Robin (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Chic Name (FR) 22-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place before 4th, behind and struggling 6th, rallied into modest 4th run-in, 4th of 6, 21 1/4l behind Monsieur Lecoq (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Realm Keeper (USA) 11-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 5th, lost place next, struggling 9th, well beaten after until fell heavily 13th, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Canyon City 11-1 (11-6) Prominent until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, dist behind Geordie Des Champs (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Sam Barton 3-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased winner 4 out, ridden 3 out, one pace and lost 2nd final strides, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Via Dolorosa (11-12) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Joueur Bresilien (FR) 9-2 (12-0) Towards rear, ridden and struggling on outside 15th, well behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Quick Draw (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Towards rear, not fluent 3rd, slow 10th, struggling after 13th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Maypole Class (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Awkward 1st, mistakes in rear, not fluent 6th, awkward 12th, bad mistake next, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Animal (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) In touch, headway tracked leaders 9th, ridden and every chance 3 out, chased leader next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Guetapan Collonges (11-11) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
