held up in touch, took closer order halfway, outpaced 3 out, stayed on into 3rd approaching last, never a threat
tracked leader, led before 3 out, drew clear next, very easily
led until approaching 3 out, kept on under pressure, not pace of winner
tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, weakened approaching last
NonRunner
Its All A Lark made a winning start for Donald McCain when making all at Kelso and will probably adopt similar tactics here. But she does have a 7lb rise to overcome and is giving a couple of pounds to PETERS COUSIN, who would relish a fast pace having scored over further last time. A clear round should see Iconic Belle in the firing-line while Another Theatre arrives off the back of a win at Catterick. Valse Au Taillons was third on his reappearance at Exeter but the handicapper has taken no chances.
Valse Au Taillons (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Jumped left at times, mid-division, headway before 3 out, challenged next, not much room and switched left before last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Evidence De Thaix (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Another Theatre (IRE) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, driven to lead last, soon ridden, stayed on well towards finish, won at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Foxtrot Juliet (11-4) by 3l, 11 ran.
Its All A Lark (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-12) Made all, driven clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Jan beating Dew Pond (11-4) by 7l, 7 ran.
Iconic Belle 7-1 (11-4) In touch, headway to chase leaders 5 out, every chance before 3 out, led before next, fell last, at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Peters Cousin (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders on outside, hit 2 out (usual 4 out), challenged after last (usual 3 out), ridden to lead narrowly inside final 2f, just held on (last 2 flights omitted on both circuits, low sun), won at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec beating Off The Hook (10-12) by 1/2l, 11 ran.
Gold Runner (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) In rear, not fluent 2nd, behind 6th, 7th of 11, 21 1/4l behind Suggestion (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.