tracked leading pair, 2nd soon after 3 out, led before 2 out until 2 out, chased leader until between last 2, driven in 3rd and kept on same pace, lost modest 3rd last strides
led, headed briefly 3rd, headed 8th, chased winner until ridden soon after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in last trio, jumped slowly 6th, reminders and outpaced 8th, ridden and kept on into never dangerous 4th 2 out, went modest 3rd last strides
chased leaders, 4th and outpaced 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up in last pair, headway on outside into 4th place 8th, chasing leaders 3 out, led 2 out, driven along between last 2, soon headed and kept on same pace run-in
chased leader, led briefly 3rd, led 8th until 2 out, chased leader between last 2, ridden to regain lead before the last, stayed on well to go clear run-in
held up in rear, some headway before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten
Nonrunner
This looks wide-open but course and distance winners Mr Muddle and Noble Friend both go on the short-list. Kadalkin's run earlier on the card will be a guide to the chances of Doncaster second Pure Oxygen while Un Anjou was more like his old self at Ludlow last time after a poor run at Wincanton. But the top weight only beat CHESTNUT BEN (NAP) by a neck at Musselburgh in November and Peter Wink's charge is now 3lb better off. A tough sort, the latter should reverse that form and looks a better bet than either Itsuptoyou or Boss In Boots.
Un Anjou (FR) 9-1 (11-3) Left chasing winner 1st, not fluent next, closed 3 out, driven and no impression flat, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Arkaim (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Mar.
Pure Oxygen (IRE) 11-8 (11-0) Led, ridden before 2 out, headed last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Kadalkin (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Feb.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up behind, went 4th 2 out (usual 4 out), soon outpaced, stayed on to take 3rd approaching omitted last, never troubled front pair, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Tiptoeaway (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Mar.
Itsuptoyou (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) In rear and in touch, tracked leaders in 3rd from 3rd, went 2nd from 2 out, kept on and held, 2nd of 4, 1l behind Somchine (11-8) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Boss In Boots (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, not fluent 7th, went 2nd after next until before 3 out, weakened approaching last, last of 6, 40l behind Diamond Tammy (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Mr Muddle 2-1fav (11-10) Led and not fluent 2nd, headed before 6th, reminders and dropped to last after 6th, pushed along and struggling before next, rallied from 3 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 2 1/4l behind Nomadic Storm (11-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Vision Des Champs (FR) 7-1 (10-2) Raced keenly, led 2nd, headed 11th, chased winne runtil before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off and pulled up before last, in a race won by Wilton Milan (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Noble Friend (IRE) 5-4fav (10-13) Held up, headway to chase leader 4 out, not fluent next, 6 lengths down 2 out, driven and stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Sportsreport (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
