prominent, under pressure approaching 2 out, no extra closing stages
behind, slow 1st and 2nd, soon detached, pulled up after 7th
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, left in 3rd next, stayed on well closing stages, never a threat
mid-division when fell 4 out
chased leaders, effort when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
made all, jumped right throughout, hard driven 2 out, ran on well
mid-division, struggling 8th, soon beaten, tailed off, moderate 4th
Nonrunner
A couple of these stand out with A LITTLE MAGIC making most appeal. Jonjo O’Neill’s charge won in this grade at Catterick to land a double and another bold bid is expected despite a 5lb rise. Mr Medic also has a shout having won easily at Lingfield in November but he’s upped in class off an 11lb higher mark for this. Lou Vert found one too good at Ludlow on his chasing bow and is preferred to the more exposed Helium while Jaboltiski is a decent hurdler at his best but has struggled over fences so far.
A Little Magic (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Raced keenly, led, joined after 4 out, headed next, stayed on to regain lead last, ridden out flat, won at Catterick 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan beating Nine Altars (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Jaboltiski (SPA) 8-1 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along and struggling before 4 out, never involved, pulled up before last, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Lou Vert (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in touch on outside, 2nd 4 out, no impression before last, 2nd of 7, 11l behind Deadly Approach (10-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Bise D'estruval (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Held up early, headway tracking leaders 5th (water), weakened rapidly before 4 out, behind when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next, at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Mr Medic 11-4fav (11-8) Jumped slightly right, tracked leader 2nd until after 5th, 2nd again after 4 out, led 3 out, clear from next, easily, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Nov beating Remember Forever (10-1) by 12l, 7 ran.
Back By Midnight 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, led after 6th, hit 8th, blundered and headed 4 out, chased leaders, weakening when blundered next, 4th of 6, 23 1/4l behind Never Up (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Moscow Me (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) Led until bad mistake 1st, led after next, headed 5th, led 8th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 5, 28 3/4l behind Sea Wall (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Mar.
Helium (FR) 11-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Rock On Rocky (11-11) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) gs in Mar.