with leader, led 6 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, reminder before 7th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened next
led, headed 6 out, led 2 out, kept on well
in touch in 4th, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression
towards rear, blundered 5 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden before last, one pace
None of these can be completely ruled out. Helium has dropped to a decent mark and Lucinda Russell has sent Newcastle runner-up Vengeur De Guye down from Scotland. Vicangelome should be approaching peak fitness after a couple of runs for Ben Case but Blandfords Gunner has been a bit below par this term and Rock On Rocky steps up a grade off a 9lb higher mark in search of a hat-trick. ARTIFICE SIVOLA is normally accurate at his fences and came up against a well-handicapped rival at Warwick last time. He’s been raised 2lb for that but that is not an insurmountable barrier in a race like this.
Artifice Sivola (FR) 7-2 (11-4) Led or disputed lead, headed after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Overtown Express (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Blandfords Gunner 7-2 (11-13) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, led 8th, headed after 4 out, mistake 3 out, no extra last, 4th of 7, 11l behind Herons Heir (11-8) at Catterick 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Rock On Rocky 3-1 (11-5) Made most, clear when came back into view last, comfortably (poor visibility), won at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Dr Robin (11-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
Vengeur De Guye (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair until 3rd, handy 4th, 3rd again before 4 out, 2nd 2 out, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Pistol Park (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Vicangelome (FR) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 6, 15l behind Rear Admiral (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Helium (FR) 16-1 (9-4) Tracked leaders, lost place over 2f out, plugged on inside final furlong, 6th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Grand Facile (9-6) at Lingfield 1m 5f hcp (6) pol in Feb.