led until 3rd, chased leader until before 4th where not fluent, chased leaders, pushed along mistake and lost 3rd next, rallied to lead again on long run before 2 out until 2 out, upsides last, ridden to lead again run-in
chased leading pair until 2nd, chased leaders, 2nd before 4th, led 3 out, pushed along and headed on long run before next, led again 2 out, ridden and joined last, headed and no extra run-in
held up in rear, headway into 3rd 5th, closed and every chance last, went 2nd hung badly left under pressure and one pace run-in
took keen hold, held up, headway chasing leaders 2nd, led next, clear 4th until after next, headed 3 out, weakened soon after, behind and pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, hit 1st, lost 2nd before 4th, chased leaders, already lost place when not fluent next, rallied and driven along in modest 4th after 3 out, no chance with leading trio
held up off the pace in 5th, pushed along and outpaced after 3rd, behind and struggling 5th, tailed off next
Nonrunner
After a couple of moderate efforts in novice company, Pikarnia was surprisingly made favourite for a handicap at Ayr in January but failed to act on the heavy ground. He's been lightly raced but needs to do better to get off the mark. Craig Star completed a double on good ground in August when trained in Ireland though, both victories were over much longer trips. He's shown nothing in two runs for Donald McCain but this shorter distance may bring about some improvement. Brave Jag won a bumper in France and showed a bit of potential for Paul Nicholls but has been well beaten in his two starts for Tim Vaughan. MANWELL won a Uttoxeter handicap on New Year's Eve but went up a massive 18lb and has been unable to cope in two subsequent starts, though heavy ground hasn't helped. He looked the likely winner when coming to tackle Modulus at Newcastle last week but the winner stuck on gamely. Today's shorter run-in and a 7lb pull can enable Sam England's charge to reverse the form and take this.
Modulus 3-1jfav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon pressed, held on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Catching Shadows (11-12) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Le Braye (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Took keen hold in rear, struggling after 4 out, 5th of 12, 37 1/2l behind I'm A Game Changer (11-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Manwell (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-9) In rear, headway before 2 out, soon challenged and every chance, weakened towards finish, 3rd of 7, 7 3/4l behind Modulus (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Brave Jaq (FR) 25-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Pikarnia 11-4fav (11-12) Held up mid-division, jumped slow 5 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Eager To Know (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 29 1/2l behind Joseph Mercer (10-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (5) sft in Feb.
Craig Star (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, hit 5th, beaten 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Theatre Act (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
