tracked leaders, challenged 3rd, led after 3 out, stayed on, driven out
held up in touch, went 2nd 2 out, hanging left flat, stayed on, not able to challenge
led until after 3 out, 4th and outpaced next, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, jumped left and lost place 2nd, closed next, 3rd and unable to quicken 2 out, staying on and 3 lengths down when awkward last, no impression after
prominent, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
in touch in rear, pushed along after 3 out, weakened before next
in touch in rear, pushed along after 4th, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened
Five of SEA WALL’s six career victories have come on heavy going. Another 2lb rise for finishing sixth at Cheltenham seems harsh but Chris Gordon’s 10-year-old had only found one too good previously at Newbury and Lingfield in similar company. Show On The Road easily justified favouritism in a novice event at Exeter last time but that may not have been enough to justify an opening handicap mark of 118. Rainy Day Dylan had little to beat over track and trip 12 days ago and is 7lb higher but there are possibilities about the four-year-old Acaro as he does handle the mud.
Sea Wall (FR) 11-2 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 8 1/4l behind Smaoineamh Alainn (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Show On The Road 6-5fav (11-3) Always handy on inside, led approaching 2 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly, won at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Jan beating Friday Night Light (11-3) by 13l, 9 ran.
Rainy Day Dylan (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-12) Made all, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Irondale Express (10-6) by 7l, 6 ran.
The Brothers (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, jumped left, not fluent 5th, 4th and one pace 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 14, 23l behind The Russian Doyen (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Lillington (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) In touch, mistake 5 out, weakened after 3 out, 13th of 17, dist behind Steely Addition (11-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Legend Lady 3-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, effort 3 out, soon weakened and eased, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Lady Of Lamanver (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Acaro (FR) 11-4 (10-12) Chased leading pair, 2nd soon after 2 out until between last 2, mistake and weakened last, 3rd of 7, 14 1/4l behind Nayati (10-12) at Newbury 2m (3) hvy in Dec.