tracked leaders, led 6th until hit 12th, led 14th, hit 16th, mistake 3 out, soon ridden and headed, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd flat
held up, headway to track leaders 10th, close 3rd when not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next
mid-division, headway 13th, close 4th when fell 4 out
struggling 13th, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up, reminders after 4th, ridden and headway to 14th, hampered and saddle slipped 4 out, soon plenty to do, stayed on well from 2 out, went 2nd flat, done well
led until 6th, led 12th until 14th, weakening when hampered 4 out, tailed off
hit 1st, mid-division, struggling 14th, never a danger
behind from 8th, pulled up after 14th
in touch until mistake and unseated rider 12th
always prominent, blundered 3 out, soon led, went right and hit next, drifted left flat, driven out
tracked leaders until lost place on bend after 6th, weakened 13th, well behind when pulled up before 16th
mainly towards rear, lost touch 14th, pulled up before 4 out
THE VENETIAN is the suggestion in a competitive race where Potts Of Magic and Dusty Dane have to feature prominently on the short-list. Victor Dartnall's charge has been off the track since pulling up on his attempt to defy a penalty at Taunton in November. The yard's horses are in much better health now though and The Venetian is unexposed over fences after just three starts and is taken to get back on track. Potts Of Magic gained an overdue success at Huntingdon and looks sure to run his race but there must be some doubt as to whether he can follow up from a 4lb higher mark given his previous record. Dusty Dane bounced back to form with a good run at Towcester and a similar level of performance should see him in the mix whilst Freeline Fury stays well and remains feasibly treated. Noble Action once beat Gone To Lunch over hurdles and hails from a yard that's capable of readying one and Down The Stretch should be suited by stepping back up in trip but it's The Venetian that gets the nod.
Down The Stretch 25-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden approaching 5 out, stayed on same pace, went 4th final strides, 4th of 12, 14l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Gold Heart (FR) 5-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, hampered 8th, beaten 2 out, left 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 15l behind College Ace (11-8) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
St Mellion Freeway (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Held up, not jump well, ridden 15th, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Present Glory (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
Ocean du Moulin (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, slow 3rd, reminders 6th, ridden 9th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 7, well behind I'moncloudnine (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Dusty Dane (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) In touch, lost place before 5th, closed 11th, chased winner approaching 3 out, hard ridden and held between last 2, switched right after last and soon left with every chance, held near finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Superrollercoaster (10-6) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
The Venetian (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Chased leader, ridden 13th, soon weakened, pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Flight Command (11-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Potts of Magic 13-8fav (10-11) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 2nd, led after 3 out, edged left flat, ridden clear, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Mar beating Bermuda Pointe (11-4) by 7l, 6 ran.
Special Conquest 50-1 (10-6) Led to 5th, dropped rear 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Nicto De Beauchene (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Noble Action 4-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, hit 2nd, ridden and pecked 14th, left third 17th, jumped badly left 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Nykel (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec '07, 12 ran.
Freeline Fury 5-1 (11-4) In touch until lost place 9th, headway after 17th, ridden after 5 out, stayed on dourly, led flat, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar beating Change Agent (10-0) by 1l, 12 ran.
Hasanpour (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 10th, effort on outside 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 9, 35l behind Classic Act (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Mar.
Gaelic Music (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, headed 7th, remained in touch, lost place 10th, 6th and beaten when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Square Mile (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov stks (4) sft in May '07, 9 ran.
