held up towards rear, chased leaders after 4th on inside, went 4th 4 out, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 5th, weakened after 4 out
close up, went 3rd before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, challenged last, led run-in, kept on well
held up mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened before last
held up behind, reminders after 5th, weakened from 7th, tailed off
led, pushed along and clear after 4 out, ridden before last, headed run-in, kept on
Nonrunner
Sam Lord won over the minimum trip on heavy ground here last January and is well handicapped on that form but he's been running poorly. Whichwaytobougie isn't running badly and didn't quite last home over 2m6f here last month so this could be his trip. Northern Acres won this in 2013 and is a consistent type who looks sure to run his race, though he was behind WILLIE HALL when they occupied the places behind Simmply Sam at Ayr last month. That was the runner-up's first start for a new yard and, with Ryan Day again doing the steering, he can go one better.
Proud Gamble (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Not fluent in last, reminders 3rd, tailed off from next, last of 9, well behind Brave Spartacus (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Sam Lord 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, quickly lost place before 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 8, 27l behind Politbureau (11-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Whichwaytobougie 5-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden in 4th before last, kept on towards finish, 4th of 15, 6l behind Newyearsresolution (9-10) at Newcastle 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
Daring Exit 40-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, outpaced 4 out, last of 5, 34l behind Red Spinner (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Northern Acres 13-2 (10-6) In rear, headway before and mistake 3 out, challenged last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 12, 2l behind Simmply Sam (10-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
Willie Hall 17-2 (10-2) Held up towards rear, smooth headway before 4 out, mistake last and lost momentum, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to take 2nd place close home, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Simmply Sam (10-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.
Agesilas (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, jumped left 6th, lost touch before 8th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Amberjam (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Mister Jones 11-2 (10-6) Held up in touch, lost place after 3rd, ridden before 3 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 10l behind Nefyn Bay (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Feb.
Transient Bay (IRE) 12-1 (9-11) Held up in touch, weakened after 4 out, 7th of 12, 5l behind Simmply Sam (10-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Feb.