ridden 5th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, eased from last
tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, every chance when blundered last, kept on
held up, steady headway approaching 5th, chased leaders 4 out, ridden to lead approaching last, driven out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching next
led to 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, effort 3 out, headway approaching next, went 3rd approaching last, kept on, no impression
tracked leaders, hit 4th, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching next, weakened 2 out
The shortlist contains Danse Macabre, Aston Lad and Supreme Leisure, with the vote going to Danse Macabre. Much as he is a little hard to fully assess, there is no doubting that Danse Macabre is on an upward curve of improvement. Admittedly, he has been raised nine pounds in the ratings for a win in a modest Sandown contest, but he won easily on that occasion and could yet have further improvement in him. The handicapper seemed to take exception to Wild Is The Wind's Carlisle win so the jury is out on him at present although cheekpieces could yet revive his fortunes. Kentucky Blue seemed to be returning to form last time and is not badly weighted on his overall form while, being just five pounds above his course winning mark, Supreme Leisure's chance is respected. Aston Lad has been running well and he has course-and-distance, heavy-ground form, but Cill Churnain will need to turn back the clock a couple of years if he is to play a leading part today. Halexy holds a good chance based on his chasing form and the application of first-time blinkers today could bring improvement over hurdles, while Amanpuri, who is six-pounds above his Fontwell winning mark, probably needs to keep the improvement coming if he is to feature today. Overall, though, we will stick with Danse Macabre.
Wild Is The Wind (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Olaso (10-13) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb, 20 ran.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 3 out, effort next, one pace approaching last, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Texas Holdem (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Jan.
Supreme Leisure (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch until weakened from 8th, 10th of 13, well behind Presumptuous (10-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Aston Lad 11-2 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, ridden to chase winner from 2 out, kept on from last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 5l behind First Look (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
Cill Churnain (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Day Of Claies (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Feb.
Halexy (FR) 100-1 (10-0) Never going well in rear, driven and struggling after 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Innox (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Feb, 15 ran.
Danse Macabre (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, led on outer approaching 2 out, soon in command, won at Sandown 2m amt hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft beating Diamond Mick (11-2) by 6l, 6 ran.
Amanpuri (GER) 10-1 (11-3) Close up, tracked leading pair 5th to 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 7th of 13, well behind Kipsigis (11-4) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
