tracked leaders, ridden outpaced 8th, mistake 9th, blundered 4 out, kept on from 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner
took keen hold, led 3rd, hit 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, soon no chance with winner, lost 2nd before last
held up, steady headway when hit 9th, chased leaders next, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders in 4th, headway before 9th, driven before next, chased leaders 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden clear, eased flat
jumped right, soon well behind, hit 4 out, stayed on under pressure after 3 out, never going pace to reach leaders
led to 3rd, chased leader after, hit 9th and 4 out, weakened after next
in touch until ridden and weakened 8th
chased leaders, ridden and blundered 4 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Madison Du Berlais gets the nod over Hakim, Master Rex and Lorient Express, with Glengarra worth a mention at least. This has the makings of a competitive handicap, but we shall take Madison Du Berlais to complete a hat-trick. Martin Pipe's French import is only five-years-old but has already created a big impression with the manner of his jumping. Recent victories at Market Rasen and Exeter stamp him as one to follow, and a seven-pound penalty may not be enough to stop him and Tony McCoy from completing a hat-trick of wins. Time may tell that he can become one of the top young two-milers around, so off his current mark he can pay to follow. Hakim in contrast is in the twilight of his career and has rocketed back up the weights after some decent efforts this season. He can again run well but surely will need to improve to beat the up-and-coming selection. Master Rex also has his fair share of weigh for what he has achieved, and in any case looks held by Lorient Express on Wincanton running. The latter has also risen up the weights, while Glengarra has more to do in this company. All things considered, Madison Du Berlais has plenty going for him and can pay to support again.
Bonus Bridge (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 4th, blundered 5th and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Town Crier (11-4) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Master Rex 5-1 (11-9) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Palua (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Lorient Express (FR) 4-1fav (11-3) Held up mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Palua (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Madison Du Berlais (FR) 3-1fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway and not fluent 6th, led approaching 4 out, soon hard ridden, kept on gamely, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Big Rob (11-9) by 4l, 8 ran.
Gazump (FR) 33-1 (10-1) Jumped right, led after 1st, headed approaching 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when fell 3 out in race won by Town Crier (11-4) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Nov, 14 ran.
Glengarra (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led 8th, headed 2 out, led again last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Roznic (10-9) at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Romany Dream 10-1 (10-0) Started slowly, behind, brief effort 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Tanikos (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Day du Roy (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway when hit 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 8, 15l behind Windsor Boy (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Hakim (NZ) 4-1 (11-12) Led, ridden 3 out, soon headed, one pace, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Windsor Boy (11-8) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
