held up in 4th place, chased leading pair 6th, mistake 9th, 2nd soon after 3 out, challenged 2 out, led narrowly between last two, ridden and headed last, no extra run-in
held up off the pace in 5th, weakening when not fluent 7th, soon behind, went poor 4th near finish
chased clear leading pair until 6th, pushed along in 4th before 8th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, tailed off
led but pressed, headed before 3rd, led again next, joined 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed between last 2, rallied gamely to lead again last, stayed on well to draw clear run-in
held up, 5th when hit 8th, stayed on before 3 out, left 3rd 2 out, no impression on leading duo
not always fluent, pressed leader, led before 3rd until next, pressed leader, lost 2nd soon after 3 out, struggling when blundered 2 out, weakened
Nonrunner
Sands Cove, Pearl Legend and Morgan's Bay all arrive off the back of recent victories. But the former was only third in this last year behind GREYWELL BOY, who is 3lb better off and races off the same mark as 12 months ago. Nick Williams' charge needs strong handling and will get that this afternoon from A P McCoy so is fancied to stage a repeat. Yabadabadoo still has time on his side and only found one too good at Leicester last time but both Starkie and Gandalfe are returning from a break.
Starkie 7-1 (11-6) Led, headed 2nd, remained prominent and disputed halfway, headed 2 out and no extra in 3rd early run-in, 3rd of 6, 28l behind Alelchi Inois (11-9) at Galway 2m 1f nov chs gd in Jul.
Sands Cove (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th, led approaching 2 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb beating Molko Jack (9-9) by 8l, 6 ran.
Greywell Boy 13-2 (10-0) Pecked 1st, held up in last pair, pushed along before 8th, soon struggling and never on terms, 5th of 8, 27l behind Brick Red (11-5) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Pearls Legend 4-1 (11-5) Led, jumped left 2nd, headed 6th, led next, headed before 3 out, rallied last, led flat, stayed on gamely, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating Paddy The Stout (10-9) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Morgan's Bay 5-1 (11-8) Close up in rear, tracked leaders 4 out, challenged when left 2nd 2 out, soon led, ridden clear after last, stayed on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb beating Ulis De Vassy (11-0) by 7l, 6 ran.
Yabadabadoo 13-2 (11-11) Took keen hold, led, ridden after 3 out, joined last, soon headed, eased when well helf final 100 yards, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Diamond Tammy (10-8) at Leicester 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Gandalfe (FR) 2-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd before next, not fluent 9th, reminders next, well beaten from 12th, last of 4, well behind Comeonginger (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
