with leader, blundered 7 out, led 6 out, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish
led to 6 out, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway 6 out, in 3rd before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on to lead towards finish
held up in rear, lost place from 5 out
held up behind, headway before 7 out, weakened before 2 out, mistake and jumped right last
held up mid-division, reminders and outpaced after 5 out, went 3rd before last, kept on well run-in
Pamak D'airy is the only course and distance winner in the line-up and Henry Hogarth's veteran is 5lb lower than his last victory. Irish raider Young Palm fell at the first at Ayr last week but would have a chance on his previous runs when not beaten far in similar grade. Quick Decisson finished runner-up in that latter event when only headed at the last so this slightly shorter trip will be in his favour while Retrieve The Stick is consistent at this sort of level and looks likely to be in the frame again. BIG JIM (NAP) has been gradually getting his act together over fences and made all for an impressive victory in what looked a much better race than this at Warwick. He's up 9lb but is progressing nicely and should complete the double without too much fuss.
Big Jim 5-1 (10-5) Made virtually all, jumped right at times, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan beating Morning Reggie (10-12) by 8l, 9 ran.
Quick Decisson (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Led to before 1st, tracked leader and clear of rest, led again narrowly 6th, not fluent next, ridden after 2 out, headed last, kept on, held flat, 2nd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Trust Thomas (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Retrieve The Stick 9-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 2nd from 3 out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Rosquero (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 14-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, left 3rd 3 out, no extra from next, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Rosquero (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Young Palm (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) In touch when fell 1st, at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Rupert Bear 3-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, lost touch 6th, soon struggling, no danger after, last of 7, 29l behind Captain Sharpe (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Feb.