tracked leading pair, went 2nd 5th, challenged and hit 4 out, led next, 2 lengths ahead when fell last
several slow jumps, chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, pushed along and lost 3rd 10th, reminders and weakened 12th, behind and awkward next
held up in touch in last pair, steady headway when jumped slowly 11th, pushed along and outpaced 13th, rallied 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, left modest 2nd at the last, lost 2nd final strides
led, joined 4 out, narrowly headed next, ridden and 2 lengths down when left clear at the last
held up in touch in last pair, steady headway 11th, pushed along in 3rd after 13th, weakened next, left poor 4th last
chased leaders on outside, went 3rd at 10th, ridden before 3 out, dropped to 4th and no extra before next, left modest 3rd last, took 2nd last strides
The Last But One continued his good progress when scoring over a shorter trip here recently. Another bold bid is expected despite a further 7lb rise but AMBER GAMBLER (NAP) is preferred as he won a higher grade chase at Haydock last time and a 3lb rise doesn’t look enough to prevent Ian William’s charge from going close again. Bramble Brook was in good form at the start of the year but has struggled more recently and Turban is preferred back on faster going having won off a higher mark at Plumpton last year.
The Last But One (IRE) 7-4 (11-8) Led, not fluent 6th, headed next, led again narrowly before 3 out, driven clear last, comfortably, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Broughtons Rhythm (10-13) by 5l, 4 ran.
Wilberdragon 16-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, weakened before next, 5th of 10, 27l behind Horatio Hornblower (11-0) at Newbury 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Bramble Brook 6-1 (11-8) With leaders, led 6th, headed before 9th, kept on same pace, 4th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Somchine (11-9) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Buster Thomas (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 5 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 5th of 13, 15 1/2l behind Another Frontier (11-5) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Amber Gambler (GER) 8-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, close 3rd going well before 3 out, led 2 out, hung left flat, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Mar beating Crievehill (11-12) by 1l, 8 ran.
Turban (FR) 14-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders approaching 10th, went 2nd 12th until mistake and lost place next, kept on but no chance to get on terms after, 4th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Conna Cross (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Apr.
