blundered 1st, with leader, led 5th until 8th, led 9th until hit 4 out, weakened 2 out
led to 5th, with leader, led 8th until next, regained lead 4 out, headed and blundered 4 out, weakened before next
close up, challenged and every chance 3 out, 3rd ridden and not much room when blundered 2 out, one pace last
chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, stayed on same pace flat
jumped left, chased leaders until slow jump 4th, lost touch 8th, soon tailed off
took keen hold, held up in rear, hit 9th, steady headway before 4 out, challenged on bit 2 out, led last, hung right flat, driven out and stayed on well
Nonrunner
Coach Lane continues to frustrate supporters and whilst this looks an easier race, he looks vulnerable to an improver and one such horse is GERSHWIN who is taken to hit the right notes. On his chasing debut last time it took a while for this son of Alhaarth to find some rhythm, but once he did he stayed on well to finish second to the well-handicapped Soprano. He has a feather-weight today and Timmy Murphy takes over in the saddle so assuming he doesn't get tailed off early on he is not likely to be far away. Recent winners Russian Flag and Raysrock rate as dangers, although neither is bomb-proof. The former was a long-standing maiden before a win last time in a weak Plumpton race, whilst the latter was the only horse to complete the course in an incident-packed Taunton contest earlier this month. Arumen is a dangerous front-runner especially if allowed his own way out in front, whilst Its Crucial has become frustrating to follow of late. High Oscar completes the field and looks to be getting his act together but punters who back Gershwin are taken to taunt bookmakers with 'You can't take that away from me!' as he comes home in front.
Its Crucial (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Took keen hold early, chased leaders, blundered 8th, ridden, one pace and well held when hit 2 out, 4th of 8, 12l behind Pepsyrock (11-0) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Arumun (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Led, headed 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 22l behind Wot Way Chief (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Raysrock (IRE) 5-2co-fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, left 2nd at 3rd, led after 8th, left to race alone next, won at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) sft beating Padalko (10-11) by a , 5 ran.
Russian Flag (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, steady headway and hit 8th, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led 2 out, in command before last and stayed on well, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Sebastiano (11-11) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
High Oscar 13-2 (11-6) Led, headed 9th, chased leader until 2 out, ridden and kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind I'moncloudnine (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Gershwin (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) In rear and soon badly outpaced, last approaching 3 out, headway to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner from last, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Soprano (10-13) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Coach Lane 8-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 8th, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Leslingtaylor (11-2) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in Feb.
