jumped left at times, led until before 6th, led again 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon headed, switched right before last, held final 75 yards
held up in touch, not fluent 7th, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in touch, headway when mistake 7th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, hit last
prominent, not fluent 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
jumped right at times, prominent, led after 2 out, edged left flat, ridden out
held up in touch, not fluent 2nd, headway 4th, challenged after next, led before 6th, headed 3 out, weakened before next
Paul Nicholls is looking to win this for the fourth time in succession but Tagrita offered little encouragement when tailed off at Kempton last time, though Harry Cobden's 7lb allowance helps her out in this. CADOUDOFF makes more appeal arriving on the back of a win over fences at Huntingdon. Only 2lb higher back over hurdles, he went close here last season off today's mark. Oscarteea will be more at home in this lower grade having been well beaten at Cheltenham last time and Queen Of The Stage is another expected to finish closer today as she also drops down in class with a recent comeback run under her belt.
Oscarteea (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly and outpaced 7th, well beaten from 3 out, 10th of 13, 25 3/4l behind So Fine (10-7) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Cadoudoff (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Held up, headway 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, asserting when blundered last, drew clear flat, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan beating Special Agent (11-8) by 8l, 9 ran.
Queen Of The Stage (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway 4th, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, not fluent and no impression 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 8, 13 3/4l behind Polly Peachum (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Phantom Prince (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Tagrita (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, effort 3 out, no impression, soon weakened, 6th of 7, dist behind Cannon Fodder (10-7) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Grams And Ounces 16-1 (11-12) Held up behind, headway before 3 out, soon one pace, ridden next, kept on, never reached leaders, 9th of 15, 13 1/4l behind Hear The Chimes (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.