held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 7th, went 2nd 2 out, driven and kept on same pace run-in
held up in last pair, not fluent 5th, headway approaching 9th, led 3 out, clear going well next, driven out
chased leaders, lost place before 7th, weakened 4 out, left modest 4th last
chased leaders, weakened 4 out, left modest 4th last
chased leader until after 6th, chased leaders, behind from 8th, tailed off
held up in rear, rapid headway to chase leader after 6th, rein broke and pulled up before 9th
jumped right, led until 3 out, lost 2nd next, poor 3rd when pulled up before last
Ulck Du Lin was only beaten a short-head by an improving chaser at Sandown last month. Ut Majeur Aulmes got back to winning ways at Newbury at the start of the month but is 5lb higher, though David Prichard claims 7lb. Miss Tenacious and EASILY PLEASED both return from their customary winter breaks having been waiting for the better ground. Martin Hill's 10-year-old looks the pick of the weights today and the booking of Richard Johnson has to be a positive. Keel Haul hasn't shown much since scoring at Cheltenham in November but is starting to slip down the ratings again and has claims if headgear has the desired effect.
Ulck Du Lin (FR) 7-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, driven to challenge from 2 out, led narrowly after last, stayed on, headed near finish, 2nd of 4, shd behind Arthur's Oak (10-13) at Sandown 2m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Ut Majeur Aulmes (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, ridden flat, idled closing stages, just held on, won at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Walk In The Mill (11-2) by nk, 10 ran.
Miss Tenacious 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders and keen, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, kept on, won at Worcester 2m hcp (3) gs in Sep beating Boss In Boots (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Keel Haul (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) In rear, not fluent 2nd, ridden before 5th, weakened after 7th, 4th of 5, dist behind Ultragold (10-3) at Wincanton 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Dance Floor King (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Fell 1st, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Easily Pleased (IRE) 7-1 (10-3) Held up, took keen hold, mistake 5th, headway 8th, not fluent 9th, one pace 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 6, 33l behind Workbench (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Starkie 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 5th to 7th, with leader, led narrowly again before 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on until no extra and lost 2nd closing stages, 3rd of 10, 4 1/4l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
