keen tracked leaders, joined winner when mistake 8th, clear with winner 10th, until 12th, losing ground on winner when blundered and fell 2 out
made all, joined 8th, clear with one other 10th until clear 12th, left well clear 2 out
tracked winner until blundered 7th and lost many lengths, mistake 11th, struggling from next, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
in touch in rear, went 3rd at 9th, 10 length down on 2nd from 13th, gaining on 2nd when blundered and fell 2 out
keen in touch in rear, disputed 3rd and 10 lengths down on 2nd from 13th, weakened 4 out, left remote 2nd 2 out
NonRunner
Louis' Vac Pouch, a winner at this trip over hurdles, hasn't had much to do to win his first two chases over much shorter but he's almost certain to be suited by this trip and has plenty more to offer. Skipthescales, who appears more likely to run in the following race, is three times a winner over hurdles and made a successful debut over fences here in December then followed up at Newcastle. He ran poorly when well supported at Carlisle last month and stable companion TOP VILLE BEN looks a better option, despite his jumping problems. A very easy winner of his first two starts over fences here and at Hexham, he ran well for a long way in an Ascot Grade 2 before falling at the sixth in the RSA at Cheltenham last week. He has as many letters as numbers in his recent form figures but can take this if completing without mishap. Sam's Gunner, a Grade 3 winner over hurdles, was beaten a distance on his chasing bow at Ayr but was returning from a long break and can do much better. Karezak had a run over fences back in 2015 when 19 lengths behind Bristol De Mai but his three recent runs haven't told us much.
Louis' Vac Pouch (IRE) 1-16fav (11-4) Made all, kept on well from 2 out, won at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Feb beating Along Came Theo (10-12) by 12l, 4 ran.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Prominent until fell 6th, at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Mar.
Karezak (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake and lost place 7th, weakened 9th, pulled up after, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Noruki (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Behind from 5th, last of 4, dist behind Chef Des Obeaux (10-12) at Chepstow 3m 2f (3) gs in Feb.
Sam's Gunner 3-1 (10-12) Held up well off pace in 4th, blundered and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, disputed remote 3rd from 6th, never any chance with clear pair, 3rd of 5, dist behind Destrier (11-4) at Ayr 2m (4) gs in Jan.
Skipthescales (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, slow next, soon pushed along, under pressure when mistake 11th, tailed off before 5 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Lough Derg Farmer (10-7) at Carlisle 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
