tracked clear leader, closer 4 out, led and hit 3 out, 3 lengths ahead last, headed and no extra run-in
led and soon clear, reduced lead 4 out, headed next, chased leader until between last 2, weakened last
held up in 4th, hit 7th, closer 4 out, pushed along before next, went 2nd between last 2, 3 lengths down last, closed to lead run-in
held up in 4th, went 3rd 3 out until next, weakened and mistake last
NonRunner
This looks tricky but Blair Campbell’s 5lb claim reduces BIALCO’s burden a little and the top weight has only gone up 3lb for beating a small field at Kelso. Stop Talking has won her last three but she’s taking a big step up in class today and there is a slight doubt over her stamina. Ask Paddington only won a maiden at Sedgefield in November while Sam's Adventure continues to flatter to deceive. Lord Du Mesnil would have claims on his third over track and trip in January but he then finished last at Fakenham and fell over fences and is now 0-18 under Rules.
Bialco (FR) 15-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 7th, challenged from 4 out, led last, driven out, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Aye Right (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Chased winner, sprawled on landing 13th, blundered 15th, close enough and challenging but starting to come under pressure when fell 3 out, at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gs in Mar.
Sam's Adventure 5-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4th, mistake next, under pressure approaching 4 out, never able to challenge, 4th of 12, 11 1/2l behind Nestor Park (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Jan.
Stop Talking (IRE) Evensfav (12-0) Held up in rear, headway on outside 3 out, went 2nd from 2 out, edged left approaching last, led flat, stayed, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Rule The Ocean (10-0) by 1l, 13 ran.
Ask Paddington (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Led 1st, made rest, ridden between last 2, not fluent last, joined flat, kept on under pressure, just held on, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Colby (10-12) by shd, 10 ran.