disputed lead until headway and clear leader 16th, ridden 4 out, headed after last, not quicken
held up in touch, headway 15th to track leaders, clear with leader 4 out and stumbled, going well 3 out, hard ridden approaching last, led soon after, all out flat
in touch, mistake 5th, pulled up after, dismounted
disputed lead, clear leader 13th, headed and weakened quickly 16th, tailed off 3 out, left 3rd last
tracked leaders, chased clear leaders 9th, mistake 11th, hit 3 out, tired and beaten when fell last, remounted
in touch until 9th, behind when pulled up before 11th
With conditions on the fast side, there will be less of a demand on stamina over this marathon trip thus boosting the claims of Ecuyer Du Roi who will be stepping up to this distance for the first time. Martin Pipe's charge was a facile winner at Newton Abbot last June and narrowly failed to follow up the following month at Stratford from a 12lb higher mark. The six-year-old wasn't stopping at the end of his races and gives every impression that he will have sufficient reserves to repel his rivals here despite an absence of over nine months. Bill Turner's Drum Battle was a decisive winner in the Warwick mud in February (now 11lb higher) but was well below par in the Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter last time. Bitofamixup was another who flopped at the same venue just three days ago and now has something to prove while Cherokee Boy looks set to struggle under his welter burden.
