tracked leaders, ridden and effort after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on in clear 2nd approaching last, not pace of winner flat
made all, ridden and edged right after 2 out, stayed on well, drew clear flat
always in rear, reminder after 2nd, blundered 6th, struggling 11th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, lost place 12th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders lost place 13th, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up behind, driven before 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to take moderate 3rd when blundered last, no chance with front pair
held up in touch, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden and one pace, no impression
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced 4 out, weakened before 2 out
raced wide, mid-division, headway 5 out, effort to chase winner 3 out to next, weakened last
tracked winner, driven 5 out, lost place 3 out, weakened before last
This looks ultra-competitive and that is likely to be reflected in the market. Kris Cross is climbing the weights but has taken well to fences. Knock A Hand has a touch of class and can't be ignored while Pinerolo and Dare To Endeavour are both chasing hat-tricks. Sue Smith's charge looks an out-and-out stayer and may find a couple of these too quick but won't mind the ground, which will also suit Renard D'Irlande. BOBCATBILLY still looks fairly treated despite an effortless win at Haydock. He's upped in trip here but doesn't look to have any stamina limitations having already won over 3m in point-to-points. Lamb Or Cod is nicely handicapped on his hurdles form but still has something to learn about jumping fences.
Knock A Hand (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, led 13th, ridden and headed 3 out, headed 2 out, led again last, soon edged left, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 7f (3) sft in Feb beating Titchwood (11-2) by 7l, 5 ran.
Bold Chief (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 4 out, no impression from next, 9th of 16, 29l behind Bouggler (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Sep.
Pinerolo 9-4 (11-4) Led, reminders after 9th, headed and hit 5 out, rallied to regain lead run-in, kept on gamely, won at Newcastle 3m nov chs (2) hvy in Feb beating Bucking The Trend (11-4) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Dare To Endeavour 9-2 (11-1) Chased leader until approaching 7th, chased leaders, went 2nd again before 4 out, led 2 out, driven out flat, won at Exeter 3m (3) sft in Feb beating Saroque (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 7 ran.
Kris Cross (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Jumped left at times, made all, not fluent 13th, clear after next until 4 out, stayed on well to draw clear again from 2 out, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb beating King's Grace (10-12) by 12l, 3 ran.
Lamb Or Cod (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Tracked leadder until jumped slowly 2nd, tracked leading pair, stumbled 5th, challenged and every chance 9th (3 out), stayed on same pace after next, 3rd of 4, 4l behind Via Sundown (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (2) hvy in Feb.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 3-1fav (10-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led 7th, clear 3 out, jumped left 2 out, easily, won at Haydock 2m 5f (3) hvy in Feb beating Sixty Something (11-5) by 13l, 6 ran.
Renard D'irlande (FR) 7-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, stayed on one pace after 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 5, 14l behind Knock A Hand (11-8) at Leicester 2m 7f (3) sft in Feb.
Toby Lerone (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Always prominent, close 2nd when switched right on landing 2 out, soon ridden, edged right after last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Saroque (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) hvy in Feb.
Green Wizard (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, upsides winner when fell last, in a race won by Galway Jack (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft, 6 ran.
