mid-division, headway before 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, headway before 3 out, led after last, soon ridden, kept on
always behind, tailed off after 4 out
led to 4th, every chance 2 out, weakened run-in
with leader and keen, led 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, went 2nd before 4 out, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace run-in
held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, never a factor
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, led and blundered last, soon headed, not recover
held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, led before 3 out, headed last, kept on
Hartside has had plenty of experience and has won four times over hurdles, including at Catterick last month for which he's been raised 6lb. Weapon Of Choice was in decent form at this time a year ago without managing to win but a spin on the all-weather should have put him spot-on for this. Absolute makes his handicap debut from a lowly mark though was beaten a long way when runner-up in a Hexham maiden, but Lord Golan showed some improvement at Doncaster last month and wouldn't need much more to get involved here. ARTHURS SECRET hasn't been in the best of form on the all-weather this winter but is better suited by a test of stamina over hurdles as he showed when scoring easily over 2m3f at Musselburgh last February. With fitness guaranteed, he should make a bold bid to lead all and is handed the vote.
Arthurs Secret 15-2 (9-10) Raced wide in rear, effort 4f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 10, 11l behind Edgar (9-8) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Feb.
Hartside (GER) 9-2 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway before 2 out, challenged last, ridden run-in, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating So Satisfied (11-11) by nk, 9 ran.
She's Late 25-1 (11-11) Towards rear, struggling 5th, plugged on flat, no threat, 8th of 13, 15 1/4l behind Taweyla (11-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Weapon Of Choice (IRE) 66-1 (9-10) Held up, never a factor, 7th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Be My Sea (9-4) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in Mar.
Chambord Du Loir (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Led until headed and weakened rapidly before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Lord Golan 80-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd place last 75 yards, 3rd of 8, 7 3/4l behind Muthabir (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Feb.
Poetic Lord 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and mistake 2 out, one pace and never dangerous, 5th of 6, 26l behind Fair Loch (11-10) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Absolute (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 3f out, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 18l behind Master Jake (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Thankyou Very Much 16-1 (9-5) Towards rear, ridden over 5f out, never a factor, 5th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Tatting (9-7) at Southwell 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Mar.
