always behind
in touch, headway to challenge 2 out, led last, edged left kept on
in touch, pushed along and lost place 6th, soon behind
chased leaders, reminder 7th, every chance 3 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before next
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden to challenge after 2 out, every chance last, kept on
always behind
towards rear, headway 7th, led 3 out, ridden and hard pressed from next, just headed when fell last
mid-division, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, no extra last
made most, headed 3 out, soon ridden, one paced when left 3rd last
close up, to 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up next
soon well behind, jumped left, pulled up before 7th
NonRunner
NonRunner
Philip Hobbs sent out If In Doubt to win this last year, when Ruacana was only fourth, and also had the winner in 2013. He saddles recent Newbury winner Onefitzall off a 4lb higher mark. Paul Nicholls runs two but The Eaglehaslanded is a dour stayer who hasn’t really fired so far this season. MR MIX (NAP) wasn’t beaten far in a Grade 3 handicap at Chepstow on his reappearance. He was just behind subsequent Newbury winner Who Dares Wins and ahead of the BetVictor Gold winner Taquin De Seuil and any improvement on that would make him the one to beat. Blue Rambler’s bubble was burst in a match at Doncaster while Buywise and Masters Hill are better suited by fences. Three Ways has been quite highly tried in novice events since winning his maiden and could be interesting on his handicap debut.
Buywise (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, blundered 6th, hampered 12th, 8th and plenty to do after 4 out, some headway before 2 out, no impression, 7th of 16, 18 1/4l behind Frodon (10-10) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Mr Mix (FR) 4-1fav (10-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, effort when mistake next, kept on flat, held towards finish, 5th of 14, 2l behind Ballyoptic (11-3) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Onefitzall (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along to lead 2 out, pressed last, stayed on to assert inside final 150 yards, won at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Gibralfaro (11-10) by 1l, 11 ran.
Hit The Highway (IRE) 100-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place when not fluent 6th, behind 9th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, at Cheltenham 3m (1) gd in Mar.
Ruacana 15-2 (11-8) Towards rear, outpaced and behind 4th, kept on flat, never nearer, 5th of 7, 11 3/4l behind Robinshill (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Masters Hill (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 1st, lost place next, slow 5th and 6th, ridden and no impression, behind 7th, pulled up before 9th, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Western Cape (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Always behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
Three Ways 8-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, 2nd from 5th until before 3 out, challenged up inside and not much room on bend after 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Wholestone (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m (3) gd in Oct.
Theatrical Star 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 8th to 14th, lost place when ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 12, 34 1/2l behind Carrigdhoun (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Robert's Star (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Led after 1st, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 33l behind Oldgrangewood (11-8) at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Knockgraffon King (IRE) 14-1 (12-7) Strugg when mist 4 out; wl bhnd when pu 2 out, at Woodford 3m gs in Apr.
The Eaglehaslanded (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place after 6th, closed 8th, mistake 2 out, beaten before next, 6th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Call To Order (10-4) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Blue Rambler 1-16fav (11-4) Tracked winner, ridden before 2 out, kept on and well held from last, last of 2, 16l behind Duel At Dawn (10-12) at Doncaster 3m (3) gd in Dec.
