mid-division, headway approaching 10th, chased winner 3 out, no impression
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, chased winner 4 out until mistake 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, blundered 12th, hung left after 3 out, stayed on same pace
mostly pressed leader until 12th, weakened after 13th
held up in rear, not fluent 5th, mistake 6th, not fluent next, well behind 11th
always prominent, led 8th, clear approaching 3 out, stayed on well
held up towards rear, behind from 11th
always in rear, no chance from 11th
chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened after 4 out
held up in rear, mistake 1st, headway approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, not fluent and headed 8th, weakening when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along 9th, weakened approaching next
prominent, mistake 5th, lost place after 6th, behind from 9th
Lawaaheb was well-backed when winning last time at Sedgefield but he is now back up to a mark of 99 which may leave him vulnerable off top-weight; preference instead is for APOCALOZZO ahead of Iris's Flyer. Tim Vaughan's gelding is unexposed over fences after just four starts and whilst his run at Leicester last time was disappointing, it is worth giving him another chance. He is effective on any ground but his profitable spell last May came on quick ground and it may be that this is his time of year. He was beaten on that day by Donald Will Do who reopposes this evening on 5lb worse terms, whilst Ravenscar should appreciate this drop in trip and his trainer has a profitable record at the track. Recent winners Iris's Flyer and Milton Des Bieffes will be high on many a shortlist but each has more on their plate today after a rise in the weights despite Rhys Flint looking an interesting booking for Iris's Flyer. Tobinambour is one to watch in the betting as he returns from a period on the sideline; he likes this quick ground and is able to race off a 7lb lower mark than when last seen, however we are happy to stick with Tim Vaughan's Apocalozzo as the nomination.
Lawaaheb (IRE) 5-2fav (10-12) In touch, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gf beating Naval Attache (10-4) by 2l, 11 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, mistake 1st, hit 12th, never in contention, poor 7th when fell 2 out, in a race won by Deep Pockets (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 15 ran.
Topinambour (FR) 4-1 (11-12) Led, headed 4 out, weakened between last 2, 5th of 22, 27l behind Kalmo Bay (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov '07.
Keen Warrior 33-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 8th, headed after 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 39l behind Tarabaloo (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Milton Des Bieffes (FR) 6-4fav (10-8) Made all, ridden after 2 out, ran on well to draw clear from last, won at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Mar beating Musical Chairs (11-5) by 7l, 5 ran.
Clear The Way (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Held up and mistakes, lost place 11th, 6th of 12, 47l behind Garleton (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Apocalozzo (IRE) 2-1fav (11-5) In touch, mistake 1st, not fluent 3rd, pushed along when mistake 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out, 4th of 14, 32l behind Donald Will Do (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 11th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 16, 9l behind Gerrard (11-3) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-85 (5) gd in Mar.
Ravenscar 16-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, ridden and weakened 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Ballyvaden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Iris's Flyer 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 10th to 11th, led 4 out, ridden clear flat, won at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd beating One of The Boys (11-2) by 6l, 11 ran.
King Diamond (FR) 7-1 (10-6) Mistake 5th, headway next, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind First Boy (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Mr Twins (ARG) 4-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, hit 5th, blundered 8th, soon lost place, weakened 10th, no danger after, last of 5, well behind Neidpath Castle (10-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Mar.
Mnason (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Led until after 2nd, remained handy, ridden after 4 out, stayed on one pace from 3 out, just failed to get 2nd, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Iris's Flyer (10-9) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd.
Kercabellec (FR) 28-1 (9-7) Prominent until weakened before 13th, 5th of 11, 17l behind Marufo (11-12) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Dream On Dreamers (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 3 out, soon hard ridden and weakened, 9th of 15, 16l behind Quiditch D'ouxy (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m sell hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf.
