tracked leaders, blundered 7th, led 4 out, clear from next, easily
in rear, blundered 1st, pulled up before 4th
tracked leader, mistake 5th, weakened before 4 out, soon pulled up
led, headed before 4 out, soon beaten
CARALINE completed a four-timer last season, mainly on heavy ground. She's won here and the 10lb she receives from Two Smokin Barrels can enable her to see off Michael Scudamore's mare. She completed a hat-trick in small fields at the turn of the year, though all over longer trips and she never recovered from an early blunder when well beaten at Catterick. Martiloo has arrived from France where she never won and hasn't been seen since 2015 while Asuncion is a long way out of the handicap.
Two Smokin Barrels 5-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, went 2nd 15th until after 4 out, chased leaders weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Actinpieces (12-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Caraline (FR) 10-1 (10-8) In rear, headway 8 out, chased winner from last, always well held, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Gold Opera (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Martiloo (FR) (10-13) 15th of 20, dist behind Mukonzi Has (11-2) at Auteuil 2m 3f hcp sft in Oct.
Asuncion (FR) 4-1 (10-0) Led until before 9th, under pressure 4 out, rallied next, weakened 2 out, last of 4, 8 3/4l behind Fields of Glory (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb.