held up, behind, headway 8th, challenged going well from 4 out, ridden to lead close home
led, blundered 8th, headed 9th, weakened 11th
in touch, lost place and behind 7th, stayed on from after 4 out, went moderate 3rd after last
held up, headway when mistake 9th, weakened 4 out, behind when fell 3 out
mid-division, headway 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, every chance 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway 7th, led 9th, ridden approaching last, headed close home
always behind
chased leaders, mistake and reminders 6th, ridden after 8th, weakened 9th
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
A blind fold and pin could be required to pick the winner here with Jodante, Bayadere, Donovan and Moscow Gold all considered for selection but the pin will rest on Jodante. A winner last time out Jodante runs off the same mark again and although carries top weight his form figures have been impressive of late. He often runs well on a quick track and on good or faster conditions so with the track and trip to suit he can go close. Bayadere came good over course and distance last time out bit now runs off an eight pound higher mark which will make things tricky for him this time around. But this is his time of year and so must be considered. As does Donavan who has his first run for Ian Williams since leaving Richard Guest and was in the process of running well when coming to grief with every chance at the eighth last time out at Bangor. If his confidence is not affected he has a chance. Moscow Gold had wins at Folkestone and Ludlow before unseating his rider at Huntingdon last time out. He runs off a career high and it remains to be seen how he will cope with that. So for the winner we return to Jodante.
Jodante (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Patiently ridden, held up well in rear, headway 12th, chased leader 2 out, led on bit approaching last, comfortably, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating New Perk (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Kind Sir 20-1 (10-6) Chased leaders to 10th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Saffron Sun (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf, 10 ran.
Manoram (GER) 10-1 (11-12) Led, blundered 3 out, mistake and headed next, 3rd and beaten when went badly left last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Julies Boy (10-4) at Windsor 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov.
Bayadere (GER) 25-1 (11-10) In touch, left in lead 10th, pecked 4 out, ridden 3 out, clear flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (5) gd beating Ri Na Realta (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Deliceo (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Chased leader to 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 15l behind Caribbean Cove (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Moscow Gold (IRE) 5-1 (10-4) Mid-division, mistake and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Spinaround (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 12 ran.
Classic Rock 8-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 7th, mistake 9th, led 14th, mistake and headed next, ridden 3 out, weakening when left 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Meggie's Beau (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Donovan (NZ) 11-2 (10-11) In touch, slightly hampered 3rd, led 8th, challenged when fell 2 out in race won by Haile Selassie (10-10) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 10 ran.
