tracked leader, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner
tracked leader, driven to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
held up in rear, under pressure 4 out, never dangerous
held up towards rear, jumped slowly 1st and 2nd, lost action and pulled up before 4th
made all, jumped well, drew clear after 2 out, readily
held up in rear, pushed along approaching 3 out, weakened next
took keen hold in touch, not fluent 3 out, chased leader before next, mistake 2 out, no extra closing stages
Withdrawn
Dan Skelton boasts a good strike rate here but his Samtu was well beaten when starting favourite at Ludlow in October after making a winning debut at Uttoxeter. Steve Gollings' runners also have a good record at this track but Caged Lightning was another to disappoint last time after a promising start. FLEMENSFIRTHLEADER may well have made a winning start under Rules at Kelso had he not taken a heavy fall at the last. He's been given plenty of time to recover and can make amends, though General Mahler has the form to figure and Fibre Optic and Invictus should also go well.
Samtu (IRE) 5-4fav (11-5) Took keen hold, tracked leader, very slow 1st, distracted by rival and slow 2nd, not fluent next, led before 5th, hanging left before headed 3 out, blundered badly last, well held by winner flat, 2nd of 4, 12l behind Uncle Tone (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Caged Lightning (IRE) 5-2 (11-6) With leader, led 3rd, headed 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 21l behind Chase End Charlie (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Captain Mowbray 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear, ridden and headway before 2 out, no extra from before last, 6th of 8, dist behind Winter Escape (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Hey Up Ashey 200-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place after 5th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up, at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Flemensfirthleader 33-1 (10-7) Led until 2nd, keen, led again approaching 3rd, 5 lengths clear when fell last, at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (5) hvy in Dec.
Fibre Optic 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before and not fluent last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 10 1/2l behind Cobra De Mai (10-12) at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb.
Invictus (GER) 12-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led, not fluent 2nd, headed before next, led again approaching 2 out, soon headed, 3rd and weakening when not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Jaleo (11-5) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Feb.
General Mahler (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 19 1/2l behind Jetstream Jack (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
