chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
close up, ridden and weakened 3 out, mistake next
always in rear, ridden and struggling 5th, soon tailed off and pulled up approaching 2 out
led to 2nd, stayed prominent, ridden after 4 out and soon weakened
chased leaders, led well before 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner
well behind when mistake 4 out, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
behind ridden approaching 3 out soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
led 2nd, headed well before 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out and soon one pace
held up, stayed on one pace from 3 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, went 2nd well before 3 out, led going well 2 out, soon clear, eased flat
Nonrunner
Nike Walker is impossible to oppose in the finale with Dashing George and Diarius rating the main dangers. The selection has won his last two races in facile fashion and although he has another penalty for his latest win he will be even higher after he is reassessed and he is impossible to oppose under conditions that suit. Dashing George rates the main danger on his latest fourth behind Arctic Force but he is more exposed than the selection and is opposable on that basis. Diarius is another that could go well on his latest second behind Final Bid, the step up in trip is sure to suit and he should be noted in the market. Of the remainder, Exuberance looks vulnerable under top weight and with this in mind for the winner we return to the progressive and well handicapped Nike Walker.
Exuberance (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, blundered 3rd, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 16, 33l behind Marcus (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (2) gs in Feb.
Goscar Rock (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 14, 48l behind Oceanos des Obeaux (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Coustou (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, losing place when hit 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Gold Again (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, 13th of 16, 36l behind Mount Benger (10-9) at Hereford 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Dashing George (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on outer, 6th halfway, 8th after 3 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Arctic Force (10-8) at Thurles 2m ldy hcp hdl gs in Feb.
Dictator (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Offemont (11-12) at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Jan, 5 ran.
Supa Tramp 16-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in mid-division, weakened 3 out, 10th of 12, well behind Gracechurch (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Venice Road (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Never a factor, 7th of 16, well behind Laustra Bad (11-0) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Diarius (GER) 8-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 4 out, chased winner 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 20, 2 1/2l behind Final Bid (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
Nike Walker (FR) 2-7fav (11-5) Soon tracking clear leader, led on bit between last 2, drew well clear before last, heavily eased final 100 yards, won at Folkestone 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Feb beating Atlantis (11-9) by 22l, 6 ran.
Tirailleur (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 14, 29l behind It's Rumoured (11-9) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
