chased front pair, effort to challenge bypassing omitted 2 out, every chance last, ridden and kept on flat, just held
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders bypassing omitted 2 out, soon one pace, weakened last
led, driven and headed approaching last, soon ridden, no extra flat
tracked leader, driven after 2 out (usual 3 out), challenged bypassing omitted 2 out, ridden to lead narrowly approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat, just held on (2nd last flight omitted)
held up behind, hit 3rd, struggling 3 out (usual 4 out), soon lost touch, tailed off
held up in 4th, ridden after 2 out (usual 3 out), outpaced bypassing omitted 2 out, no impression before last
Nonrunner
Qualando has been well below par this season so far and probably needs further help from the handicapper but Sea Wall got back to winning ways over course and distance three weeks ago reverting to hurdles and the four-year-old Cobra De Mai has to be interesting taking on his elders for the first time. Royal Vacation also makes his handicap debut and he makes more appeal than Wincanton runner-up Rafafie and Lochnagar, who jumped poorly at Sandown last Friday. TORNADO IN MILAN stays further so won't be hanging around. He likes this track and has conditions in his favour so there's no reason why the front-runner should be bang there at the finish again.
Qualando (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 5th, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten next, 8th of 9, dist behind Virgilio (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Sea Wall (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Mid-division, took keen hold, headway 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, clear last, eased close home, won at Taunton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Heath Hunter (11-12) by 10l, 7 ran.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Made all, clear 3 out until last, edged left flat, held on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Here's Herbie (10-0) by 1l, 9 ran.
Royal Vacation (IRE) 50-1 (11-9) Held up behind in touch, not fluent 6th, pushed along 3 out, ridden after next, never threatened leaders, 6th of 8, 37 1/4l behind Yanworth (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (1) hvy in Jan.
Lochnagar (GER) 3-1fav (11-7) Midfield, not fluent 4th and dropped rear, out paced after 3 out, 6th of 8, 19l behind Canadian Diamond (11-8) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 8-13fav (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge before last, led run-in, held on well, won at Wetherby 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb beating Ikrapol (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Rafafie 11-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, mistake last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Floresco (10-13) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
