in rear, went 5th approaching 4th, jumped slowly 6th, went moderate 4th 3 out, never involved
last pair dropped to last before 4th, never going after, struggling under pressure 8th, lost touch soon after, tailed off
led, clear 2nd until 4th, not fluent 8th, headed 3 out, lost 2nd under pressure next, no extra between last 2
chased leading pair, dropped to 4th approaching 4th, went 3rd again before 4 out, went close 2nd and not fluent 2 out, driven after 2 out, hung left and led just before last, edged left but stayed on well flat
chased clear leader, closed up 4th, lost 2nd briefly before 9th, travelling well when led 3 out, driven after 2 out, headed just before last, stayed on same pace flat
chased leading trio, went 3rd before 4th, went 2nd briefly and blundered 9th, chased leaders, no impression when blundered 3 out, soon weakened
Lord Singer would probably have gone close at Sandown last week had he not fallen and can beat eventual third War Party this time but he'll face a battle for the lead from the headstrong Marodima. Darceys Dancer is usually let down by his jumping and Wake Board returns from a break while Lady Willa didn't beat much at Chepstow last Saturday and is easily opposed under a penalty. NICEONEFRANKIE bounced back from a poor run over further at Lingfield to score with plenty in hand at Leicester. He needs to improve again to score here but that isn't outside the realms of possibility so he gets the vote.
Wake Board (FR) 10-3 (11-6) Took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, led 7th, blundered and headed 10th, behind from next, tailed off when left 4th 2 out, 4th of 5, well behind Max Bygraves (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Darceys Dancer (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Always behind, never on terms, tailed off, 8th of 9, 45l behind Hold Fast (11-0) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Marodima (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Led, jumped left from 12th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 48l behind Hunt Ball (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb.
Niceonefrankie 2-1fav (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 8th, challenged 4 out, led next, clear last, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m nov chs (4) gd in Feb beating Unforgettable (10-12) by 7l, 5 ran.
Lord Singer (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, clear 4th, 4 lengths ahead when went left and fell 9th, in a race won by Song Sung Blue (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
War Party 11-2 (10-10) Held up behind leaders, hampered 9th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, no impression on winner when demoted to 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Song Sung Blue (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Lady Willa (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) With leader, led narrowly 2nd, made rest, hard pressed 3 out, ridden and stayed on under pressure flat, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Feb beating Kinkeel (10-3) by 2l, 8 ran.