not that fluent, led until 1st, prominent, mistake 11th, 3rd and beaten 4 out, weakened from next, lost 3rd before last
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, headway after 7th, every chance 4 out, no real impression on winner from next, stayed on
took keen hold, led 1st, clear next, not fluent 11th, soon headed, weakened after 4 out
held up towards rear, headway when mistake 5th, mistake 9th, losing place when hit 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway 7th, went 2nd 10th, led after 11th, hung left and idled flat, ridden out
in rear, mistakes 3rd and 6th, struggling 8th, went remote 4th when mistake 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair
tracked leaders, lost place approaching 8th, well behind from 9th, mistake 3 out
Nonrunner
There looked to be no fluke about CRYSTAL SWING's victory over course and distance two weeks ago as he travelled well and showed plenty of character to hold off Tiquer after the last. He can confirm that running with fourth Hollins and defy a 7lb higher mark today. Drumlang was second in a better race at Musselburgh in January after winning at Leicester. He had a pipe-opener on the all-weather last month and is a danger but Gentle Bob has been well held off today's mark in his two runs this term and Havingotascoobydo has completely lost his way. Ballylifen has a chance on his best form, however, as does Ballycool.
Gentle Bob (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, mistake 4th, ridden and joined approaching 2 out, headed when not fluent last, one pace and no impression flat, 2nd of 8, 12l behind Hollow Blue Sky (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Munsaab (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Highbury High (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs.
Prince du Seuil (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 9th, went 3rd after 3 out, no extra 2 out, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Relax (11-1) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in May '12.
Crystal Swing 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, tracked leaders from 4th, effort to lead approaching 2 out, soon hard pressed, ridden and held on under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs beating Tiquer (10-7) by shd, 8 ran.
Ballylifen (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, closed on outside 5th, not fluent 7th, struggling from 13th, 5th of 10, well behind Barton Gift (10-13) at Chepstow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Hollins 6-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway 10th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 20l behind Crystal Swing (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Ballycool (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Held up in last pair, lost touch 6th, never near leaders, 6th of 8, 29l behind Jet Master (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Drumlang (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders over 4f out, pushed along over 2f out, weakened well over 1f out, 8th of 12, 8l behind Knightly Escapade (11-2) at Kempton 2m 2f n h flat (4) std in Feb.
Havingotascoobydo (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Led until 7th, chased winner until 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Mart Lane (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
