tracked leaders, awkward jump and outpaced 4 out, headway and jumped right next, led 2 out, hung right flat and headed line
always in rear
in rear, went left 5th, never a danger when pulled up before 3 out
with leader, hit 8th, lost place 12th, headway 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, hit last, kept on and all out to lead line
in touch, hit 10th, ridden 5 out, weakened after 4 out and pulled up 2 out
held up, ridden to chase leaders 5 out, chased leader 4 out, weakening when fell 2 out
led, ridden when narrowly headed 3 out, weakened next
East Lawyer took advantage of a dropping handicap mark when landing a race over course and distance last month and is taken to follow up at the main expense of Nice Try and Bee An Bee. The last mentioned showed signs of a return to form at Newbury last month and has to be respected on that evidence although there is a belief that he may want further. Martin Pipe's Mark Equal has run consistently well of late but may need some help from the handicapper, while Spectrometer is hard to recommend on recent evidence. Gingerbread House has the ability to take a hand but has failed to complete in two previous starts this term and may be best watched. Soeur Fontenail has been in good form this term but may now be a shade high in the weights so a bigger threat may come from Nice Try. The Venetia Williams-trained gelding made a winning start to his chasing career when landing a Warwick handicap last month and has an obvious chance off an 8lb higher mark. The vote though goes to East Lawyer who won with plenty in hand here last time and is taken to follow up off today's new mark.
Bee An Bee (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) In touch, went 3rd 4 out, 2nd and no chance with winner when hit 2 out, 2nd of 10, 17l behind Sonevafushi (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
East Lawyer (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Held up last, headway after 4 out, challenged 3 out, shaken up and led 2 out, ran on well from last, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Jan beating Black De Bessy (11-12) by 6l, 11 ran.
Gingerbread House (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Joaaci (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Spectrometer 6-1 (11-5) Led to 6th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, blundered last, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Serpentine Rock (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Mark Equal 5-1 (10-8) In touch, headway and led after 6th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 16l behind Lorient Express (10-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Dec.
Nice Try (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 6th, headway 13th, led 3 out, blundered 2 out, ridden out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan beating Smeathe's Ridge (10-8) by 2l, 6 ran.
Soeur Fontenail (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden and stayed on same pace from 4 out, 4th of 16, 18l behind Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan.
