held up off the pace in 6th, steady headway to 3rd before 2 out, went well held 2nd before last, blundered last, soon dropped to 3rd
led until 3rd, chased leaders until stayed on same pace after 3 out
held up towards rear and off the pace, headway on outside before 2 out, went 3rd 2 out, stayed on to 2nd last, never any chance with easy winner
held up towards rear, moderate progress before 2 out, never on terms
tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, soon drew well clear, very easily
off the pace in mid-division, lost place 4 out, soon in rear
took keen hold, tracked leading pair until stumbled badly and lost place 4th, recovered to track leading pair again soon after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, mistake 2 out, rallied soon after, stayed on well from last, took 4th flat, almost snatched 3rd
pulled hard, in touch, headway to chase leaders after 2nd, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened quickly soon after
off the pace in mid-division, slightly hampered 4th, plugged on approaching 2 out, never a threat
hung right throughout, towards rear, ridden and no progress before 2 out
went left and lost ground start, well in rear, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
Choc Thornton's presence on board the lightly-raced Pantxoa suggests he's the pick of Alan King's pair. Philip Hobbs saddles both Pateese, who finished second on the Flat at Bath in September, and Tony Star, while top weight Paintball can't be ignored as he ran well at Aintree last month until lack of condition told. Twist Pistol's long-term future may lie over fences, however so preference here is for SWITCHED OFF. In good form over timber at this time last year, he ran an eye-catching race on the level at Doncaster last month despite missing the break and that should have blown away any cobwebs. Sircozy could be best of the rest.
Paintball (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up behind, headway on outside 4th, effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, no impression flat, lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 11, 13l behind Rumble Of Thunder (11-5) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs in Oct.
Spear Thistle 12-1 (9-11) Led, hit 2nd, ridden and headed before 2 out, rallied under pressure flat, not pace of winner, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Ciceron (10-3) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Pantxoa (FR) 11-8fav (11-12) Took keen hold, tracked winner from 1st, challenged brielfy after 3 out, ridden when not fluent 2 out, beaten when not fluent last, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Pullyourfingerout (11-4) at Warwick 2m hcp ch 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Numide (FR) 33-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 11th of 18, 37l behind Arthurian Legend (10-6) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Pateese (FR) 12-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, weakened before last, soon eased, 11th of 22, 36l behind Russian War (10-1) at Aintree 2m 4f Listed hcp hdl (1) gs in Apr.
Levera 25-1 (10-5) Pulled hard in rear, ridden 3 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 23l behind Tocca Ferro (10-2) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Oct '10.
Tony Star (FR) 13-8fav (10-13) Took keen hold, led 1st, mistake and headed 3 out, weakened last, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Current Event (10-7) at Newbury 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Safran De Cotte (FR) 7-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, headway after 4th, hung left after 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, 47l behind Mic's Delight (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Twist Pistol (FR) 2-1fav (11-0) Disputed lead until 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 8l behind Arthurian Legend (11-6) at Chepstow 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Apr.
Sircozy (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) In rear, pushed along 3rd, soon struggling, never a factor, 6th of 9, well behind E Major (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Switched Off 4-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, went 2nd after next, not fluent 3 out, challenged 2 out, carried head high and demoted to 3rd before last, no extra in 4th flat, 4th of 17, 9l behind Be My Light (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Apr.
Don't Panic (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake and weakened from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Requin (10-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
