After gaining a morale-boosting victory in a maiden at Catterick on Tuesday, the penalised ASHUTOR can make a winning return to handicap company as he faces mainly disappointing types and Katie O’Farrell’s claim takes care of most of the extra. Only out of the frame once so far over hurdles, Yaa Salaam is probably the danger though Kenny George is capable of running well with his weight-for-age allowance. Hit The Rocks is probably improving but Nebuchadnezzar appears to be heading in the opposite direction.
Ashutor (FR) 3-10fav (11-2) Close up, disputed lead on outside before 4th, led going well 2 out, drew clear on bit between last 2, unextended, won at Catterick 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb beating Cuban Sun (10-0) by 11l, 6 ran.
Yaa Salaam (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Raced wide in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, headway chasing leaders and hung right approaching 2 out, went 3rd between last 2, kept on well towards finish, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Homer (11-4) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Nebuchadnezzar (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, pushed along in close 2nd at 6th, ridden and weakened on long run between last 2, 7th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Eddiemaurice (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Henri Le Bon (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Stimulating Song (11-2) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Jan.
The Garrison (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hit 2nd, weakened after 7th, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hit The Rocks (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Raced keenly, held up in 4th, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd next, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 12l behind Cap Du Mathan (11-4) at Plumpton 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Defuture Is Bright (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Kept wide throughout, chased leaders, led after 3rd until after 5th, led again after 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd before the last, no extra in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 9, 12 3/4l behind Flowing Cadenza (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Born To Please 10-1 (10-12) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon pushed along, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 22 1/2l behind Daphne Du Clos (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Sainte Doctor (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Keen in mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Vienna Court (11-5) at Taunton 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Kenny George 7-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 6th, headed last, ridden and weakened run-in, 4th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Eddiemaurice (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Symphony Hall (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Never nearer than mid-division, towards rear and struggling 5th, tailed off, 13th of 14, dist behind Shishkin (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
