with leader, cajoled along from 8th, lost 2nd 11th, last when mistake 13th, struggled on, behind 14th, went 3rd before 2 out
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd 11th, pushed along before 14th, winner went clear 16th, closed and 4 lengths down 2 out, unable to get on terms
made all, clear 16th, 4 lengths ahead 2 out, driven out
chased leaders, close 3rd 13th, ridden before next, jumped right and lost place 15th, getting very tired and kept jumping right after, lost well beaten 3rd before 2 out, pulled up before last
Nonrunner
Hi Vic's rider could afford to ease him down in the home stretch at Southwell last time when returning an easy winner. But he has a 12lb hike to contend with today and COOLKING (NAP) is just preferred. The latter finally showed some improvement for a slide down the weights when second at Exeter last time and Chris Gordon's charge looks capable of scoring off his current mark. The remainder have been struggling of late though Lively Baron is 7lb lower than last year's win at Carlisle and could bounce back at any time.
Lively Baron (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 11th, headed 11th, led 12th, headed 4 out, soon ridden and lost place, last of 5, 27l behind Ultimatum Du Roy (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Hi Vic (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led after 12th, headed 15th, led again before 2 out, soon clear, stayed on, won at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating The Last Bridge (11-7) by 7l, 7 ran.
Coolking 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, made most from approaching 3rd, headed briefly before 4 out, headed 2 out, soon no chance with easy winner, kept on well for 2nd, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Catching On (11-11) at Exeter 3m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Chiquilline (FR) 9-2 (11-11) Held up, pecked badly 4th, not fluent 6th, mistake 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 10, 12l behind Pentiffic (11-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hts chs (6) gd.
Handsome Buddy (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Held up, outpaced and behind 3 out, kept on, 4th of 7, 41l behind Capard King (11-8) at Fakenham 3m nov hcp 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.