jumped right early, led until 8th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, held towards finish
tracked leader, not fluent and pushed along 12th, mistake next, weakened 4 out, jumped right 2 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 13th, led 2 out, idled last, driven clear towards finish
Nonrunner
Speedy Bruere and DENALI HIGHWAY are both improving and on a hat-trick. The former steps up in grade after victories at Towcester and Fontwell but shouldn't be far away again, though we just prefer the latter. Caroline Bailey's six-year-old has also taken well to the larger obstacles and appeared to have a bit more in the locker despite only winning by half-a-length when upped in distance at Huntingdon last month. Have You Seen Me may still have needed the run when third at Southwell last time and can't be ignored but Russian Conquest has a bit to prove now.
Have You Seen Me (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led, pressed 3 out, headed after 2 out, upsides when blundered last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Noble Legend (11-3) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Speedy Bruere (FR) 6-5fav (11-9) Tended to jump right, chased leaders, led 4th, headed 7th, blundered next, led again after 9th, stayed on well from 3 out, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs beating Venetian Lad (10-13) by 2 3/4l, 8 ran.
Denali Highway (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, challenged 2 out, led flat, ridden out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Feb beating Sir Frank (11-5) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Russian Conquest 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders on outside, not fluent 4th, in rear when pushed along 9th, mistake next, soon lost touch, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Rouge Et Blanc (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gs in Feb, 8 ran.