prominent, chased leader 3 out, led approaching next, ridden and headed approaching last, lost 2nd close home
close up, pushed along and quickened to lead approaching last, ran on
in touch in rear, headway after 3 out, 4th and 6 lengths down when jumped left and landed awkwardly last and unseated rider
close up, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 2nd close home
pulled hard, headway to track leaders 2nd, led before next, 8 lengths clear soon after 3 out, reduced lead and headed approaching next, soon weakened
keen led, headed approaching 3rd, tracked leader, mistake 4 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, not fluent and fell next
Washington sets the standard having won at Bangor last autumn and finishing third in a handicap last time. But GEOMETRICAL (NAP), a dual winner on the Flat in Ireland, made a winning debut over hurdles when successful at Doncaster last month and is taken to defy a penalty with normal progress. Alchemystique fell early in the selection’s race while bumper winner Dom Perry faded badly at Catterick on his hurdling bow. Mochachocachino and Sonnemoser make their hurdling debuts with the former preferred.
Geometrical (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led after next, stayed on well, ridden out, won at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb beating Icone D'aubrelle (10-9) by 2l, 9 ran.
Washington 11-4 (11-9) Held up, switched right and closed before 5th, joined winner when dived at 2 out and lost momentum, held after, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 3l behind Barrichello (11-12) at Warwick 2m hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Alchemystique (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Raced keenly, mid-division, fell 3rd, at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gd in Feb.
Daniel Deronda 28-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear on outside, headway after 5th, well held after 3 out, went 4th and not fluent 2 out, 5th of 10, 32 1/2l behind Shallow River (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Mochachocachino (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Keen in rear, headway when ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 6th of 13, 17l behind Ballyglass (11-6) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Shadow Walker (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up in last trio, some headway approaching 4 out, weakened and bad mistake 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Valsheda (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f (4) gs in Mar.
Sonnemoser (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway on outside over 6f out, weakened from over 2f out, 8th of 10, dist behind Sporting Ace (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) sft in Feb.
Dom Perry 14-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, chased leaders, not fluent 1st or 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 6th of 7, 34l behind It's Good To Laugh (11-10) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Jan.
