led to 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, stayed on well from last
mid-division, chased leaders approaching 4 out, ridden approaching next, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along after 4th, mid-division when fell 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened approaching next
chased leader, led approaching 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, no extra towards finish
in touch, stayed on well from 2 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, pushed along approaching 4th, never dangerous
in touch, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, weakened 4 out
held up, effort 3 out, stayed on from last, no extra towards finish
held up, driven 3rd, never dangerous
chased leaders, led 4 out, headed approaching next, led again approaching 2 out, driven out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Plenty of these are out of form, including the selection, but there are reasons for siding with REALISM to win it, with Viscount Rossini and Fortunate Isle likely to show up well. Trainer Mick Easterby has his runners in form and Realism returns to the scene of his most recent triumph, which came a little over a year ago over course and distance. The gelding has plummeted through the weights having been beaten on six successive hurdles starts since that victory, but conditions will suit and we may well see him return to form. Viscount Rossini is up 4lbs for a decent effort in defeat at Kempton last time out. Blinkers have proved effective on the gelding and they are retained here, and with the going to his taste he can get closely involved. Fortunate Isle is just 1lb higher than when winning a novices' hurdle here in December. He was not at his best in handicap company last time but a first-time visor might help improve him. Mister Pete can go well fresh and acts with cut in the ground, so he is not ruled out of taking home some money, while Kingsben represents an in-form yard but does have going concerns. Percussionist will be straighter for a couple of recent runs but he has plenty of weight to lug around here and we will hope for a large dose of Realism.
King Mak 80-1 (11-6) Led until 3 out, soon weakened, 12th of 18, well behind Patsy Finnegan (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Percussionist (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Behind, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 9, 16l behind Best Prospect (11-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Kingsben 14-1 (10-2) In rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, 41l behind Enfant De Lune (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Ifandbutwhy (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, ridden next, kept on, no impression, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Time For Rupert (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Fortunate Isle (USA) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 12, 20l behind Red Admiral (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Presque Perdre 16-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, 19l behind Scolboa Music Man (11-3) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Aviation 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, reminders 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Quinder Spring (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 3rd, soon behind, beaten when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ormus (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Realism (FR) 22-1 (10-7) Behind, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression from next, 7th of 18, 28l behind Patsy Finnegan (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Domino Dancer (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 12th of 18, 40l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Flying Doctor 50-1 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place from 7th, 10th of 14, 30l behind Lie Forrit (11-7) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Harry The Hawk 18-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 3 out, no impression, 7th of 17, 27l behind Quwetwo (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mister Pete (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up and raced wide, weakened 3 out, 16th of 18, well behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Viscount Rossini 33-1 (10-7) Chased leader, upsides winner, every chance 2 out, no chance before last, kept on well flat to hold 2nd, 2nd of 12, 8l behind Hohlethelonely (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Pearson Glen (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 14, 25l behind Agglestone Rock (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Mr Midaz 66-1 (11-7) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 10th of 20, 25l behind Elite Land (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Follow On 66-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, effort and every chance 3 out, ridden and no extra next, 8th of 20, 20l behind Elite Land (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Boulders Beach (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, hampered by loose horse 4th, weakened 4 out, 13th of 18, well behind Patsy Finnegan (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
