held up in touch, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
led to 1st, soon regained lead, headed 3rd, chased leaders until weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 3rd, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish
led after 1st, soon headed, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on
Nonrunner
It's more two years since Valco De Touzaine last ran over hurdles but he's rated 8lb lower than over the larger obstacles so can't be ignored. However, EARTHMOVES (NAP) looks the stable selection and is fancied to defy his penalty. Still unexposed, he beat a couple of decent novices in a canter at Newton Abbot last week and should have plenty more to offer. Marju's Quest was only headed at the last under a big weight at Fontwell 12 days ago and has a good strike-rate. He is probably the chief threat as February's course and distance winner Dragon's Den is 8lb higher now. The others have plenty to find on recent form.
Valco De Touzaine (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on outside, reminders after 8th, weakening when mistake 4 out, 6th of 8, 37l behind Gardefort (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Held up in touch in last, closed from 7th, challenged 2 out, soon led, clear last, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (3) hvy in Feb beating Alternatif (11-11) by 15l, 5 ran.
Earthmoves (FR) 2-1 (11-7) In touch in 4th, went 3rd and not fluent 3 out, led before 2 out, clear before last, won at Newton Abbot 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Mar beating Otago Trail (11-13) by 10l, 8 ran.
Hallings Comet 10-1 (11-4) Led, headed before 4 out, blundered and unseated 4 out, in a race won by Solar Impulse (10-11) at Wetherby 2m nov hcap ch (3) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Marju's Quest (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) Led, headed after 3 out, led again 2 out, headed last, weakened run-in, 5th of 10, 13l behind Prouts Pub (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Mar.
Sporting Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Led until approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened quickly before next, tailed off, 15th of 17, well behind Theinval (11-11) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) gd in Mar.
Man Of Leisure 25-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, hit 2nd, headway when mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 11, 47l behind Southfield Vic (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Feb.
