held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, 3rd approaching last, soon ridden, stayed on to challenge and every chance towards finish, just failed
mid-division, headway on outside 6th, led narrowly 4 out, ridden after next, headed 2 out, no impression before last
mid-division on outside, lost place 6th, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off
mid-division, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, led 2 out, ridden after last, hard pressed towards finish, just held on
behind, outpaced 3 out, kept on under pressure from next, never reached leaders
led to 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off 2 out
tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, no impression before last
mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, effort next, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, no extra towards finish
tracked leader, lost place 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, disputed lead 4 out until after next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off
chased leaders, driven before 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression
Nonrunner
Qualando is a former Cheltenham Festival winner but he cut little ice in the Martin Pipe at the big meeting last month. Sir Ivan has been knocking on the door but continues to creep up the handicap and would probably have preferred an easier surface. Recent course winner Nesterenko goes on the short-list, however, as he still looks well treated having only been raised 3lb. Heath Hunter has the ability to win a race like this but has become frustrating to follow while Here's Herbie is 6lb higher than for a track and trip success last month, though rarely runs a bad race here. AFTER EIGHT SIVOLA (NAP) couldn't find an extra gear on soft going here last time but he has his ground today and a return to winning ways could be on the cards. Philip Hobbs is adept at placing his novices in handicaps so Exeter winner Eardisland can't be ignored as she receives weight from all but one of her rivals.
Qualando (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place after 8th, weakened before next, 16th of 24, 35 3/4l behind Ibis Du Rheu (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Heath Hunter (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out to chase leaders, no extra run-in, 5th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Thunder Sheik (10-7) at Haydock 2m hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Kingscourt Native (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always behind, pulled up 2 out, at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Here's Herbie 5-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, left 3rd 3 out, went 2nd on outside before last, upsides last, led run-in, soon ridden and kept on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating May Be Some Time (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cousin Khee 15-2 (11-12) Took keen hold towards rear, headway after 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when hampered by loose horse after 2nd last, 7th of 9, dist behind Howaboutnever (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Theatre Mill (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Slowly into stride and held up in last, took keen hold, headway to lead halfway, headed and ridden 2f out, weakened, 6th of 7, 13 1/4l behind Gambling Girl (10-9) at Wexford 1m 7f Yielding in Aug.
After Eight Sivola (FR) 3-1 (11-6) Raced in last pair, pushed along briefly after 3rd, went 3rd after 3 out, stayed on same pace from next and unable to get on terms, not fluent last, 3rd of 6, 4 3/4l behind Tornado In Milan (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Gores Island (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up behind, headway on outside 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace, never on terms, weakened flat, 7th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Ut Majeur Aulmes (11-12) at Newbury 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Crimson Ark (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, pulled way up to chase leaders 4th, led 6th, joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last two, no extra in 3rd last, lost 3rd run-in, 4th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Chartbreaker (11-1) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Mar.
Vif Argent (FR) 100-1 (10-7) Midfield, headway 4 out, chased leaders when not fluent next, no extra from last, 9th of 13, dist behind Poker School (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Eardisland 2-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, switched outside before next, soon challenged, not fluent last, ridden to lead flat, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) gs in Mar beating Rene's Girl (11-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Sir Ivan 8-1 (11-8) Led, joined from 6th, headed after 3 out, rallied and every chance last, stayed on gamely, 2nd of 13, nk behind Poker School (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Nesterenko (GER) 7-4 (11-10) Took keen hold, held up, headway on inside tracking leaders after 4th, challenged last, went 2nd after the last, hard ridden run-in, led towards finish, won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gd in Mar beating Vicenzo Mio (11-9) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
