held up, hit 6th, bad mistake 11th and pulled up
tracked leaders, went 2nd 11th until hit 13th, carried left when every chance 4 out, weakened before next
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, headway approaching 9th, ridden after 12th, weakening when unseated rider 4 out
led, jumped left from 12th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, hit 6th, behind 10th, pulled up before next
held up, pulled up before 4th
held up in rear, mistake 6th, headway 12th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leader until 6th, led after 4 out, ridden next, headed last, held towards finish
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, jumped left next, mistake and ridden 10th, lost place 11th, weakened 13th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway 6th, hampered next, challenged after 4 out, switched left after next, hit 2 out, headed last, stayed on well
Nonrunner
Plenty in with a chance in this. Marodima chases a hat-trick having been raised 8lb for his latest win at Warwick, where he beat Roi De Rose, and Cruchain isn't out of this after scoring at Kempton last month with Coup Royale behind and Quotica De Poyans unshipping his rider. Inside Dealer was a well-beaten third over C&D last time behind HUNT BALL and as the latter was winning for the fourth time in only seven starts over fences, he's taken to continue his progress and go in again. Exeter winner Easter Meteor has taken well to fences and is another to consider with further progress likely.
Quotica De Poyans (FR) 11-2 (11-7) In touch, mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Cruchain (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan, 14 ran.
Easter Meteor 15-8 (11-7) Chased winner who was soon well clear until 5th, went 2nd again 9th, no chance, 2nd of 5, 16l behind Sanctuaire (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (4) gs in Jan.
Cruchain (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leading pair 4 out, challenged between last 2, led approaching last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan beating Triangular (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 14 ran.
Marodima (FR) 9-4fav (10-13) Made all, not fluent 1st, clear next, hit 3rd, reduced advange 8th, driven and stayed on gamely flat, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan beating Gracchus (11-7) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 13th, 3rd and beaten when hit 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 14, 15l behind Hunt Ball (10-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan.
All For Free (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Always towards rear, ridden and struggling 10th, never on terms, tailed off, 7th of 14, 37l behind Tatenen (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Coup Royale (FR) 11-2 (10-10) Hampered 1st, held up behind, headway 4 out, 4th when mistake 3 out and next, kept on same pace, never troubled leaders, 4th of 14, 22l behind Cruchain (10-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Jan.
Flaming Gorge (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division, jumped slowly 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 4 out, in a race won by Oscar Gogo (10-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec, 15 ran.
Roi De Rose (FR) 11-4 (10-10) Chased leader, not fluent 1st, hit 3rd, lost 2nd 8th, no extra last, 4th of 8, 11l behind Marodima (10-13) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Hunt Ball (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Held up in touch, closed 6th, challenged 13th, led when jumped left 3 out, went left again next, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jan beating Not So Sure Dick (9-10) by 4l, 14 ran.
Golan Guy (IRE) 10-11fav (11-1) Made all, quickened 3 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged (2 fences ommited), won at Plumpton 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan beating Hearty Royale (10-12) by 7l, 3 ran.