jumped left and not always fluent, led until mistake 11th, soon outpaced, kept on flat, almost took 2nd
held up, headway 9th, not fluent 11th, challenged 3 out, led next, soon driven, headed and jumped right last, no impression on winner flat
chased leaders, close 3rd travelling best 3 out, challenged next, led and jumped right last, driven clear flat
tracked leaders, led after 11th, not fluent and headed 4 out, soon weakened
whipped round and unseated rider start
in rear, pushed along after 6th, struggling from 10th, well beaten 4 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
CUDDLES MCGRAW still has bags of scope over fences having got off the mark at Warwick in November. He’d been second to a well-handicapped rival on his chasing bow and can return with another win. Sartorial Elegance won a lesser contest at Fontwell in January but failed to follow up off this mark in this grade next time and Cougar's Gold is still 14lb higher than when scoring over course and distance in December and looks poorly handicapped. Sergeant Brody never threatened when third at Huntingdon while Reckless Behavior is in danger of becoming disappointing while Bob Ford needs further and isn’t getting any younger.
Bob Ford (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, tailed off from halfway, never dangerous, 5th of 17, dist behind Le Reve (11-12) at Lingfield 3m 5f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Cuddles Mcgraw (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) In touch in mid-division, not much room 5th, closed from 10th, went 2nd 4 out, led before 2 out, not fluent last, edged left towards finish, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Agent Memphis (11-5) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Cougar's Gold (IRE) 9-2 (12-2) Headway chasing leaders 3rd, went 2nd before 7th until before next, 2nd again approaching 11th until 4 out, weakened soon after, went remote 4th close home, 4th of 8, dist behind Kings Monarch (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Sartorial Elegance 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders until lost place 2nd, behind 5th, closer 8th, 3rd after 10th, went 2nd 3 out, plugged on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 15l behind Invicta Lake (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Reckless Behavior (IRE) 4-1cfav (11-6) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 4th, led again 7th, headed 9th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 4th of 7, 35 1/4l behind Compadre (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Sergeant Brody 6-1 (11-12) Not fluent and jumped left at times, close up, tracked winner 8th until ridden 2 out, lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 5, 18 1/2l behind Strong Resemblance (11-3) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Pembroke House 20-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 10th, driven after 4 out, kept on same pace, went 3rd before last, no impression, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Cave Top (12-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
