chased leaders, every chance last, stayed on strongly to lead closing stages
soon led, strongly challenged approaching last, headed and no extra close home
in touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders before last, never able to challenge
chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
witjh leader, ridden 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened 2 out
prominent, blundered 1st, jumped slowly 2nd and 3rd, soon lost place, struggling halfway, behind when pulled up after 7th
REAR ADMIRAL could not prevent the progressive Present Lodger from landing a hat-trick when runner-up at Musselburgh last time. But it is only a matter of time before Mick Easterby's charge is winning over fences and it could be today. Midnight Chorister made a winning start over fences at Fakenham in December and ran well again off a 7lb higher mark at Leicester recently. He looks the main threat given Eastern Witness needs to step up on his recent placed efforts to get involved and the remainder have yet to show any worthwhile form.
Midnight Chorister 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, led 2 out, edged left and idled before being headed last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Henri De Boistron (10-10) at Leicester 2m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Rear Admiral (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led, about 4 lengths ahead after 2 out, steadied and went left last, ridden and headed flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Present Lodger (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
If It Be Your Will 100-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, struggling 6th, behind when not fluent 3 out, 7th of 12, 34l behind Restraint of Trade (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Dontupsettherhythm (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Led until after 4th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 13, 33l behind Zip Top (11-8) at Southwell 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Eastern Witness (IRE) 5-2fav (11-0) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and no chance with winner, outpaced in 3rd next, stayed on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Bobbits Way (11-8) at Bangor 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Tetralogy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Towards rear, pushed along before 8th, weakened before next, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Kadalkin (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (4) gd in Feb, 6 ran.
