held up in last pair, smooth headway approaching 3 out, led before 2 out, joined when not fluent 2 out, soon headed, one pace when switched left approaching last, no chance with winner
raced keenly, held up in touch, closer on inside 4th, tracked leaders going well 3 out, challenged in 2nd 2 out, led soon after and went clear, stayed on well, eased close home
led briefly, tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd until after 4 out, led again 3 out, headed before next, soon dropped to 3rd and one pace
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, plugged on run-in
soon tracking leader until after 3rd, handy, jumped slowly next, 2nd again after 4 out, every chance and not fluent next, weakening quickly when blundered badly next, left 4th and slightly hampered last
outpaced and struggling before 3 out, behind, plugging on when slightly hampered last, weakened run-in
raced keenly, soon led, jumped right and mistake 5th, headed briefly next, headed 3 out, hanging left when weakened 2 out, poor 4th when fell last
De Rasher Counter has only won a Fontwell handicap so far and his latest run at Haydock suggests a mark of 140 is overestimating his ability, though he drops in grade for this. Molineaux is having his 10th run over hurdles but he’s made the frame in his last five so is expected to run his race again. EUXTON LANE has some improving to do to beat his likely market rivals but that is expected to be forthcoming over this longer trip. He never came off the bridle in landing a maiden at Fontwell earlier this month having chased home a subsequently-impressive Grade 2 winner at Southwell earlier. Hunt Politics showed little in bumpers but Oscars Leader found only one too good on his hurdling debut at Huntingdon and will know more today.
De Rasher Counter 12-1 (11-6) Held up mid-division, took closer order from 5th, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 11, 26l behind Tommy Rapper (11-1) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Euxton Lane (IRE) 7-4 (11-2) Raced on inside, tracked leading pair, tracked leader 3rd, led going well 2 out, soon clear, easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (5) sft in Mar beating The Cannister Man (11-2) by 17l, 11 ran.
Molineaux (IRE) 11-10fav (11-9) Led, pressed from 3 out, headed briefly last, kept on and headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Master Tommytucker (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Hunt Politics 8-1 (11-2) Led until 3f out, soon lost 2nd, hung left and plugged on same pace in 3rd final 2f, just missed 2nd, no chance, 3rd of 4, 14 1/4l behind Irish Odyssey (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) sft in Mar.
Oscars Leader (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 3 out, hard pressed from 2 out, headed flat, stayed on, 2nd of 15, 1l behind Starcrossed (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Pandinus Imperator (IRE) 100-1 (9-11) Slowly away in rear, pushed along halfway, never on terms, 6th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Darksideoftarnside (9-5) at Pontefract 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Oct.
Wallace Spirit (FR) 50-1 (11-4) Last trio, never involved, 7th of 12, dist behind Ok Corral (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb.