handy on outside, not fluent and lost place 15th, well beaten from 4 out
led until 3 out, losing place when mistake 2 out, no extra
held up, well in touch when not fluent 14th, pushed along and slightly outpaced after, closed to take 3rd when mistake 2 out, disputing 2nd when slow last, no extra towards finish
chased leader, not fluent 8th, led 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, held flat, kept on
held up in touch on inside, not fluent 5th or 12th, closed from 15th, hit 4 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, mistake last, driven out
NonRunner
Diamond Brig easily landed a hunter-chase at Kelso in 2018 but hasn't shown much in two recent starts under Rules. Speak Of The Devil did a bit better at Ayr last time but probably needs further. SKYHILL has completed a four-timer in soft conditions and was impressive at Kelso last time. He's up 8lb and this is tougher but he'll be difficult to beat. Kings Eclipse hadn't been running well before taking advantage of heavy ground at Kelso and a 6lb rise is unlikely to prevent another big effort. Oscar Ceremony jumped superbly at Musselburgh and was always travelling well so he looks the main threat.
Diamond Brig 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division on outside, slow and lost place 5th, not fluent 7th, mistake 11th, pulled up, at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Speak Of The Devil (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway 7th, not fluent 14th, mistake 16th, went 2nd before 4 out, mistake 3 out, no impression on winner, plugged on, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Donna's Delight (11-9) at Ayr 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Skyhill (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Held up on outside, closed from 7th, led normal 4 out, not fluent next, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Westend Theatre (10-2) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Prominent, blundered and lost place 6th, behind and pushed along after 10th, ridden and rallied when rider dropped whip on extended run-in, stayed on to lead closing stages (all fences in home straight omitted, low sun), won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Mymilan (11-3) by 2l, 8 ran.
Oscar Ceremony (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-4) Chased leaders, led on long run before 4 out, clear next, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Craiganboy (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Pc Dixon 11-2 (10-2) Chased leaders, lost place before 7th mistake next, weakened from 7 out, 5th of 7, 16 1/4l behind Miss Zip (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
