mid-division, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway after 3 out, chased leaders next, never a threat
keen, prominent, hard driven after 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, under pressure after 3 out, stayed on same pace after next
held up towards rear, jumped left 2nd, never dangerous
made all, drew 4 lengths clear after 3 out, hard driven last, stayed on strongly
behind, headway 3 out, chased leaders after next, no extra when blundered last
mid-division, weakened 4 out, soon tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden 4 out, weakened next
in touch, keen, headway 3 out, chased winner next, soon ridden to challenge, kept on under pressure
The two four-year-olds looks to have a decent chance here. Paul Nicholls' French recruit Dogon made his UK debut in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham last month but made mistakes and was soon trailing. He may do better when getting more testing conditions but today's ground suits KATPOLI. Another French import, he made a winning start for Richard Newland at Huntingdon and has produced two very good runs at Cheltenham subsequently. River Bray hasn't done as well as expected this campaign but wind surgery could have had the desired effect but Lord Duveen, who ran well at Kempton last March on just his second start, weakened quickly at Chepstow in October after setting a strong gallop. Hey Bud stayed on over 2m2f at Exeter and may find this too sharp.
Clondaw Whisper (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Elusive Belle (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Jan.
Hey Bud 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway under pressure before 3 out, went never nearer 3rd post, 3rd of 18, 16l behind Greaneteen (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Hurricane Arcadio (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, pulled up before last, at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) gs in Jan.
Lord Duveen (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Prominent, unbalanced briefly on downhill run after 1st, led 4th, headed 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 7, 16 1/2l behind Rocco (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Mr Stubbs (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Always tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Brandon Castle (11-11) at Plumpton 2m (4) gs in Jan.
River Bray (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Held up in touch on inside, headway chasing leaders when mistake 3 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Rough Night (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Katpoli (FR) 3-1 (11-2) Raced freely, led, jumped left and not fluent 1st or 2nd, ridden before last, headed flat, no extra in 3rd near finish, 3rd of 7, 2l behind Nelson River (11-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (2) gd in Dec.
Broke Away (IRE) 150-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th place, closer tracking leading trio 4th, until before 3 out, weakened 3 out, blundered last, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Duhallow Gesture (11-0) at Taunton 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Sweet Obsession (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up, weakened 3rd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Westerner Ocean (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear and keen, never a factor, 7th of 9, dist behind Third Wind (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) sft in Feb.
Dogon 12-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, slow 4th and 5th, weakened quickly after 3 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 1f (1) gs in Jan.
