took keen hold, held up in close 6th, headway approaching 2 out, disputing 3rd approaching the last where not fluent, weakened run-in
ran in snatches and pushed along on occasions, chased leaders, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, rallied under pressure approaching 2 out, 3rd approaching the last, driven and kept on same pace run-in
held up in close 5th, headway into 2nd before 2 out, led and went right 2 out, stayed on well, driven out
led, not fluent 1st, quickened pace on long run before 8th, narrowly headed after 3 out, chased winner until ridden before next, soon weakened quickly, tailed off
tracked leaders, travelling well after 3 out, challenged on outside and not fluent 2 out, soon switched left and went 2nd, one pace run-in
chased leader, hit 3rd, not fluent 6th, led narrowly after 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden and lost 2nd, weakened between last two
SAM RED (NAP) showed signs of a resurgence when runner-up in this grade at Wetherby last time. He finished clear of the rest and Dan Skelton’s charge can go one better today. Nautical Nitwit was also placed at Wetherby recently, but on faster going, while Minstrels Gallery scored at the latter track last year in testing ground. Kelvingrove is another who may struggle on the likely soft going while novice hurdle winner Nobuttaboy makes his handicap debut. Saint John Henry won well at Warwick in December but disappointed back over the same hurdles off today’s higher mark last time.
Sam Red (FR) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4 out, effort next, every chance when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Ami Desbois (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Kelvingrove (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, soon headway, went 3rd from last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 10 1/4l behind Three Ways (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Nautical Nitwit (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, weakened 11th, 8th of 11, 11 1/2l behind El Bandit (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Nobuttaboy (IRE) 2-1 (11-8) Led, joined 4th, headed 4 out, ridden after next, switched outside before 2 out, soon one pace, no impression with front pair between last 2, last of 3, 24 1/4l behind Impulsive Star (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gd in Jan.
Minstrels Gallery (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Hit 1st, tracked winner until pushed along 2 out, ridden and no impression when lost 3rd between last 2, went left and weakened last, 4th of 6, 6l behind Midnight Jazz (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Saint John Henry (FR) 17-2 (11-1) Not always fluent, soon led, pecked 6th, headed 8th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 14, 25l behind Tobefair (11-0) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
