off the pace in 4th, went 3rd before 6th until after 8th, tailed off in 4th when pulled up before 16th
chased clear leading pair until before 6th, went 3rd again after 8th, much closer at 11th, led next until 14th, in front again and hit 18th, not fluent and ridden 3 out, in command next, not fluent and rider lost iron briefly last, ridden and kept on well run-in
chased leader and clear of rest, led 9th until 13th and dropped to 3rd, plodded on, no chance with leading duo
led and went clear with one rival, headed 9th, led again 14th until 18th, chased winner, held 2 out, soon no chance with winner
soon off the pace in 5th, left remote 4th before 16th, tailed off
pulled up quickly before 1st
NonRunner
Rolling Dylan and Ballycross finished 1-2 in this 12 months ago but a repeat of that result this year looks unlikely. Abaya Du Mathan is one of three David Pipe entries but Texard looks the pick of that trio ahead of Red Happy, whose latest second came over hurdles. BROKEN HALO and Tout Est Permis share top rating and Jody Sole can steer the former back into the winner’s enclosure given the experienced event rider can still claim 3lb.
Texard (FR) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 7th of 9, 20 1/4l behind Jacamar (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Feb.
Broken Halo 7-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, ridden on outside after 4 out, headway before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 12, 18 1/2l behind Castle Robin (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Red Happy (FR) 15-2 (11-12) Jumped slightly right, prominent, led 4th, headed and hit 2 out, no impression on winner flat, lost 2 places towards finish, 4th of 10, 13 3/4l behind Kilbeg King (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f (4) gd in Feb.
Rolling Dylan (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Jumped left at times, close 3rd, led narrowly 5th, hit 7th, headed after 9th, lost place 12th, no chance after, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Ballycross 66-1 (11-1) Towards rear, tailed off 4 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Can You Call (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Tout Est Permis (FR) 9-4 (11-12) Chased leader, pushed along and weakened rapidly approaching 5 out, pulled up after 4 out when not fluent, at Taunton 2m 7f (5) sft in Jan.
Abaya Du Mathan (FR) 22-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, no impression last, lost 2nd and no extra flat, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 18l behind Art Decco (12-0) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
