in touch in mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway 6th, weakened well before 3 out where bad mistake, tailed off
led until 3rd, led after 5th, clear with one other before 6th, ridden 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace flat
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, behind after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake 6th, headway next, went modest 4th 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway from 7th, went modest 4th approaching 2 out, not fluent last, no chance with leaders
mid-division on outside, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, well behind from 7th, tailed off
pulled hard, headway to track leader 2nd, led next, headed after 5th, losing place when fell next
held up rear of mid-division, headway 6th, chased clear leading pair next, ridden and well held when not fluent 3 out, not fluent next
keen early, tracked leaders, lost place 3rd, behind after 7th, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 4th 7th, no chance with leaders before 3 out, 5th and well beaten when mistake 2 out
mid-division, not fluent and headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake next, tailed off
tracked leader until approaching 2nd and again before 6th, clear of rest before 7th, challenged 3 out, ridden to lead when not fluent and went left last, stayed on
mistake 1st, always in rear, jumped right 6th, soon well behind, tailed off
An interesting heat with the majority of the leading form contenders certain to appreciate the step-up to two and a half miles. ROBIN DE CREUSE was rather one-paced when filling the minor placing over two miles at Huntingdon last time but is sure to benefit from this extra half mile and his Cheltenham second behind Prince Of Pirates in December sets the standard. Irish point winner Croan Rock is also guaranteed to enjoy the extra yardage, likewise promising Huntingdon runner-up Masterful Act, a solid stayer on the level. Keep an eye on any market support for the Henderson pair, especially interesting debutant Dancing Dude.
Cool Steel (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 7f out, ridden and weakened 3f out, 9th of 18, 50l behind Distime (11-4) at Wetherby 2m NH flat (6) gs in Feb.
Croan Rock (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Led, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 10, 7l behind Shuil Royale (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Crossbarry Breeze (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Alw in rr, last by 5th, to by 8th, cto by 5out, pu bef 3out, in a race won by Crofton (12-0) at Dawstown 3m ire ptp gd in May '08, 17 ran.
Four Strong Winds (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Not fluent, off the pace in 3rd, mistake 3rd, blundered 5th, closed 10th, well there 13th, weakened from 4 out, left remote 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 6, 31l behind As De Fer (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan.
Gearbox (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracking leaders when jumped right 1st, mistake 5th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Management (11-1) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Mojeerr 25-1 (8-6) Soon led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on, one pace, 4th of 5, 10l behind Relative Strength (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f 4yo clm stks 0-70 (6) pol in Mar (flat).
Pensnett Bay 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, weakened after 2 out, 10th of 13, 45l behind Chester Lad (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar '10.
Praefectus (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, took keen hold, ridden and effort 2f out, soon outpaced, 9th of 11, 16l behind Denali Highway (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Mar.
Robin De Creuse (FR) 15-8fav (11-1) Held up mid-division on inner, headway to chase leaders after 5th, blundered 2 out, in 3rd and held when jumped badly right last, kept on, 3rd of 15, 7l behind First In The Queue (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Mar.
Thank The Groom 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, weakened over 5f out, 14th of 17, well behind Oscar Magic (10-4) at Kempton 2m NH flat (5) gs in Feb.
Wise Move (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 14, 28l behind Poungach (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Yukon Quest (IRE) 25-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened well before 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 9, 42l behind Rebel Rebellion (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
Dancing Dude (IRE) 6-1 (8-3) Never travelling in rear, pushed along 8f out, no chance when wandered under pressure over 2f out, 7th of 8, 11l behind Colloquial (10-0) at Sandown 1m 6f hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jul (flat).
Silver Seraph 40-1 (10-10) Mid-division on outside, headway 10f out, weakened over 3f out, tailed off, 10th of 13, 36l behind Eleven Fifty Nine (10-0) at Worcester 2m NH flat (6) gf in Jun.
The Herb 10-11 (12-0) Chsd ldrs; outpcd & pu aft 14, in a race won by Sorbiediditmyway (12-0) at Kingston Blount 3m ptp gd in May '09, 6 ran.
Masterful Act (USA) 7-2 (10-7) Held up towards rear, smooth headway to 3rd before 2 out, driven to 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Dubai Crest (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Mar.
