tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
led until before 3 out, every chance when left in lead last, kept on well
in rear, blundered 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up in touch, outpaced after 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
tracked leader winner until before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, led 3 out, stumbled and fell last
Ivan Boru, twice a winner over hurdles, attracted some support on his handicap debut over fences at Catterick and was still in front when taking a heavy fall at the ninth fence so it's no surprise to see him back over timber. KAYF BLANCO (NAP) was beaten by a subsequent winner at Wetherby before a convincing victory over today's rival A Little Bit Dusty at Kempton. The assessor looks to have been lenient with a 5lb rise and, with Killian Moore's claim to help, he can complete the double. Blackwater King was the easy winner of a handicap chase at Musselburgh in January before a poor run at Wetherby but it's a long time since he ran over hurdles. Hartside is consistent but has been beaten three times recently off a 3lb lower mark and Quick Brew has never won and generally races over further.
Passage Vendome (FR) 66-1 (11-12) In rear, not fluent 3rd, well behind after 6th, 8th of 10, 46l behind Silver Duke (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Feb.
Ivan Boru (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 1st, soon headed, left in lead next, headed after 3rd, challenged 8th, led 9th, fell next, in a race won by Jac The Legend (10-3) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
Kayf Blanco 11-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway under pressure towards stands side rail approaching 2 out, soon ridden, led last, stayed on well flat, won at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Feb beating A Little Bit Dusty (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Hartside (GER) 4-1 (10-9) Mid-division, closed 4th, not fluent next, lost place before 2 out, went 3rd and stayed on approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 14, 11l behind Beg To Differ (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
A Little Bit Dusty 6-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 10l behind Right Step (10-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Quick Brew 12-1 (10-5) Led, reminder before 5 out, headed after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 3rd of 6, 34l behind Five In A Row (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Blackwater King (IRE) 7-2fav (11-8) Held up in rear, took keen hold, mistake 5th, headway before 4 out, weakened before 3 out, last of 6, 40l behind Aye Well (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Feb.
