led and set steady pace, narrowly headed 6th, chased leader, challenged and blundered 3 out, recovered to challenge next, ridden between last two, every chance last, chased winner and one pace run-in
took keen hold, pressed leader, led narrowly 6th, pushed along and quickened before 3 out, hit 3 out, kept slight advantage, headed last, 3rd and one pace run-in
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance last, 4th and one pace run-in
held up on inside tracking leading pair, challenged 2 out, led last, quickened clear run-in
Nonrunner
Lizzie Kelly is good value for her 7lb claim and she was seen to good effect on Tea For Two when he outpointed My Wigwam Or Yours on his hurdling debut at Kempton. PORT MELON has been very highly tried so far and should appreciate having his sights lowered here. He may be a little one-paced but the 8lb he receives from impressive Exeter winner Thomas Brown may just swing things in his favour. Bumper winner Foryourinformation and ex-pointer Out Sam will find easier opportunities in the months ahead.
Thomas Brown 5-6fav (10-12) Always prominent, mistake and led 7th, driven after 3 out, edged left last, stayed on well, won at Exeter 2m 5f nov hdl (3) gs beating Vago Collonges (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tea For Two 13-8 (10-5) Raced keenly tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 5th, reminder after 4 out, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, rallied to challenge last, soon ridden, led flat, kept on towards finish, won at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct beating My Wigwam Or Yours (11-5) by 2l, 10 ran.
Foryourinformation 4-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway 8f out, went 3rd over 4f out, led 2f out, kept on, driven out, won at Ffos Las 2m NH flat (6) hvy in Feb beating Obistar (10-8) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Out Sam Evens (12-2) Ld, 2l adv 6out & mstk 5out, chall bef 2out, hdd bef last, rallied brfly early flat, no ex over 50 yards out, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Strange Ways (12-2) at Dromahane 3m ire ptp sft in Mar.
Port Melon (IRE) 11-4 (11-0) Tracked leader, driven after 2 out, one pace when mistake last, no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 6, 7l behind Parlour Games (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G2 (1) sft.
