held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 13th, went 2nd before 15th, ridden last (normal 2 out), soon no impression on winner, lost 2 places and weakened bypassing omitted last
pressed leader, jumped slowly 7th, lost 2nd before 11th, soon given reminder, struggling from 15th, no chance in 5th when bad mistake and unseated rider last (normal 2 out)
chased leaders, jumped left at times and often niggled along, mistake and reminders 4th, jumped slowly 6th, mistake and reminder 15th, driven after next, rallied from last (normal 2 out), stayed on to lead towards finish
held up, jumped slowly 7th and 14th, well beaten 15th, pulled up before last (normal 2 out)
led, reminders 7th, not fluent 8th, driven after last (normal 2 out), headed towards finish
tracked leadrs, mistake 8th, went 2nd before 11th until before 15th, outpaced after 16th, stayed on take 3rd bypassing omitted last, no impression
Nonrunner
Acrai Rua bounced back with a victory over 3m5f at Market Rasen in December and should be in the mix. Nail 'M carries a penalty for his success in a novices' handicap at Towcester last week while an 8lb rise proved beyond Ancient Times at Ayr when he attempted to follow up an earlier win at the same track. A 12lb hike for a recent win over track and trip may seem a bit harsh on BENNYS WELL but Sue Smith's charge was eased down once clear of the field and there should be plenty more to come from him. The Magic Bishop looks best of the rest on his earlier placed efforts.
Purcell's Bridge (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, lost place briefly after 5 out, outpaced next, hampered 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 4th of 7, 41l behind Sharney Sike (10-1) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Jan.
Acrai Rua (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Always prominent, led 9th, headed 12th, led again 3 out, ridden out, stayed on well, won at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Roseneath (11-4) by 7l, 6 ran.
Nail 'm (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders on outside, mistake 8th, hit 12th, went 2nd after 3 out, edged right 2 out, soon led, driven out, won at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb beating Take The Mick (11-8) by 3l, 7 ran.
The Magic Bishop 7-2 (11-10) Held up in touch, headway to join leaders 13th, lost place and ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, in a race won by Arc Warrior (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Bennys Well (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Made all, reminders before 12th, clear before 3 out, easily, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Feb beating Gwladys Street (10-5) by 16l, 6 ran.
Beau Dandy (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Led to 1st, with leader, not fluent 5th, reminders from next, lost place after 9th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Rose Of The Moon (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Ancient Times (USA) 6-1 (10-11) With leader, went 3rd before 3 out, chased winner 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 7l behind W Six Times (10-5) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Feb.
