tracked leader, led before 2 out, ridden and stayed on strongly run in
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace
tracked leader, hit 6th and 7th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch in rear, headway 3 out, ridden to chase winner next, soon switched left, faded towards finish
Nozic won this in 2012 and can race off a lower mark today having tumbled down the weights last year. He's not easily dismissed back in this grade but a chance is taken that DYNAMIC IDOL will improve further on his return to action. The latter is upped 9lb for his win at Lingfield in January last year but that's the best piece of form on offer and he gets the vote. Red Anchor also won early last term but has failed to complete in a couple of subsequent starts and Zhukov has been well beaten since scoring at Fontwell in December though he's back on the same mark for this.
Nozic (FR) 13-2 (10-9) Held up off strong pace in 4th, chased clear leading pair 4th, closed after next, no impression 4 out, weakened quickly before 3 out where left modest 4th, 4th of 7, 23l behind Paddy The Stout (10-4) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Dynamic Idol (USA) 11-4 (11-9) Chased leader, led 6th, joined 3 out, came clear bypassing ommited 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan '13 beating Somerby (11-1) by 9l, 6 ran.
Red Anchor (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, reminder after 6th, tailed off 9th, pulled up, in a race won by Porters War (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) gd in Dec, 7 ran.
Zhukov (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, not much room 2nd, headway 8th, hit 9th, not fluent 10th, outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 27l behind Fitandproperjob (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f cond hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Sportsreport (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, mistake 1st, not fluent and headed 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 9, well behind Winged Crusader (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Feb.
