POET beat a couple of decent novices on his hurdling debut over course and distance so it was disappointing that he could make no impression in a Grade 1 at Sandown on his second start when well backed. This should be more to his liking and James Banks' claim just about takes care of his penalty. Looking On was rated 36lb below the selection on the Flat but made a promising start to his hurdling career when only beaten a neck at Huntingdon and should be winning soon. Seventh Sky won a handicap at Taunton 12 days ago and may be improving but the others are likely to be playing for places.
Poet 3-1 (11-7) Took keen hold early, raced wide disputing 4th, pushed along and weakened 2 out, 6th of 7, 26l behind Melodic Rendezvous (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov hdl Grade 1 (1) hvy in Jan.
Seventh Sky (GER) 11-4 (11-8) Took keen hold, chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 4 out, led going strongly 2 out, clear last, ridden right out, won at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft beating Sun Quest (10-1) by 9l, 8 ran.
Broughtons Star 33-1 (11-9) Always well off the pace in last pair, never involved, 10th of 11, well behind Such A Legend (10-11) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) gd in Feb.
Buffy The Beatle 25-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, mistake 6th, pushed along next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Gas Line Boy (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Don't Be Late (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next, 9th of 15, well behind Chemistry Master (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Foxcub (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, struggling 3 out, blundered next, moderate headway before last, never involved, 9th of 18, 46l behind Lordofthehouse (11-6) at Kempton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Kalani King (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Held up in rear and keen, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, soon weakened, last of 10, well behind Midnight Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
King Killer (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up rear but in touch, headway on outside 5f out, stayed on same pace final 2f, 5th of 7, 17l behind Avidity (10-3) at Doncaster 2m NH flat (6) gd.
Looking On 7-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, led 2 out, not fluent last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, nk behind Hefner (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd.
Ramona Chase 66-1 (11-2) Restrained well in rear, pulled hard and jumped right, tailed off when went badly right 4 out, eased from next, last of 12, well behind Chatterbox (11-8) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
Tackler (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along before and hit
Ullswater (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, held up in 5th, went 3rd after 3 out until 2 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, 6th of 7, 39l behind Irish Buccaneer (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Bois Des Aigles (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, ridden 5th, stayed on before 2 out, kept on flat, never nearer, 5th of 14, 7l behind Edmund Kean (11-9) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Phantom Prince (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Took keen hold towards rear, headway 4 out, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on again flat, went 4th in closing stages, 4th of 14, 13l behind Leo Luna (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4yo hdl (4) gs.
