chased leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened on long run before 2 out
led until 6th, prominent, ridden approaching 2 out, soon one pace
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, ridden out
mid-division, ridden, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division until weakened on long run after 7th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 6th, ridden, headed approaching 2 out, kept on
mid-division until weakened after 7th
in touch, ridden well after 7th, one pace from 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway to track leaders 6th, effort when hit 2 out, 3rd, held when hit last
always towards rear
mid-division, ridden after 7th, soon beaten
behind, headway after 6th, weakened on long run after 7th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division until weakened on long run after 7th
mid-division, pecked badly 3rd, ridden after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
Norton Sapphire is taken to land this event with Petit Lord and Fleetwood Forest rated as the main dangers. The selection is a really consistent type and she won well last time when narrowly getting the better of Petit Lord. She meets that rival on identical terms today and we see no reason why the tables should be turned. Fleetwood Forest is a big danger today though to the pair of them as he was returning from a 628-day absence when winning at Huntingdon last time and with his yard in sparkling form he is respected. Lease Back is capable of getting competitive in these type of events but he looks a little high in the weights at present and for that reason he is passed over today. Norton Sapphire looks to be going the right way and she can win again.
Lease Back (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 8th, joined leader 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 17l behind New Perk (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
Find The King (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 5 out, lost place next, kept on same pace from before 2 out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Emotional Article (11-5) at Tralee 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-140 gd in Aug.
Royal Katidoki (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, mistake 11th, lost touch from next, left moderate 3rd 3 out, 3rd of 5, well behind Aztec Warrior (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Zimbabwe 13-8fav (10-12) Chased leaders, led 3 out, ridden approaching last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Major Jon (10-12) by 4l, 15 ran.
Grecian Groom (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 9th of 14, well behind Chery D'or (11-4) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Norton Sapphire 9-2 (11-4) Chased leader, led 1st to 3rd, ridden and headed approaching last, rallied and led flat, all out, won at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb beating Petit Lord (11-7) by a nk, 21 ran.
Bak To Bill 20-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Nayodabayo (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Apr, 6 ran.
Something Wells (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Prominent, challenged 3 out, led soon after, driven and headed 2 out, no impression when mistake last, 3rd of 13, 7l behind What A Vintage (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec '05.
Fairlight Express (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden 8th, weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Cruising River (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct, 11 ran.
Petit Lord (FR) 7-2 (11-7) Held up last, headway after 6th, chased leader apporaching 2 out, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, no extra close home, 2nd of 21, nk behind Norton Sapphire (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Sheriff Roscoe 12-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 3rd, good headway after 4 out, soon chasing leaders, not fluent 3 out, effort approaching next, soon no impression, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Basic Fact (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Meneur De Jeu (FR) 5-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 7th, weakened next, tailed off, 14th of 15, well behind Pearly Star (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Rare Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, lost touch 11th, mistake and unseated rider in race won by Rowlands Dream (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Feb, 7 ran.
Burren Legend (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, weakened 6th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Sydney (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Feb, 12 ran.
Pardon What 9-4fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, chased winner 6th to 8th, stayed on one pace, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Come Bye (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Feb.
Barclay Boy 20-1 (10-1) Held up, brief effort 12th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Sha Bihan (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
Fleetwood Forest 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, stayed on under pressure, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Methodical (10-12) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
