in touch main group, headway before 3 out, chased front pair next, led last, ridden and kept on well flat
led to before 1st, tracked leader and clear of rest, led again narrowly 6th, not fluent next, ridden after 2 out, headed last, kept on, held flat
in touch main group, struggling 7th, weakened before 3 out
held up, always behind, tailed off 3 out
in touch main group, headway before 3 out, almost upsides when blundered next, soon ridden and one pace, chased front pair after last, held flat, lost 3rd near finish
behind, struggling before 3 out, never dangerous
led before 1st, soon clear with one other, headed narrowly 6th, not fluent next, weakened 2 out
in touch when fell 1st
held up towards rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division main group, headway before 3 out, chased front pair next, close up in 3rd when mistake and lost place last, soon ridden, stayed on to regain 3rd near finish
held up in rear, some headway before 3 out, ridden and kept on flat, never reached leaders
non runner
Willie Hall beat Quick Decisson and Young Palm over track and trip last month and beat Quick Decisson and Too Cool To Fool at the track earlier. He looked in the handicapper's grip last time at Newcastle, however, and Young Palm, in particular, is starting to look well treated. Finea arrives off the back of a victory at Down Royal but Clan Chief has failed to complete either start over fences and Trust Thomas continually flatters to deceive. BONZO BING's second at Newcastle was the first time he'd been placed over fences and he may now be getting the hang of things. Dropping back in distance might help as both hurdles wins came over 2m.
Trust Thomas 9-2 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 8, 17 1/2l behind Caraline (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Quick Decisson (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Tracked winner until before 6 out, soon weakened, last of 3, dist behind Pain Au Chocolat (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Bonzo Bing (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 3rd, led 8th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 10, 3l behind Halo Moon (11-8) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Why But Why (USA) 33-1 (11-10) Held up behind in touch, ridden after 3 out, well beaten when fell next, at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Finea (IRE) 5-2fav (11-1) Chased leader, 2nd halfway, closer 3 out, ridden to challenge before last, led run-in and asserted close home, won at Down Royal 2m hcp hvy in Feb beating Dr Moloney (11-8) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Very slowly away and reluctant to race, always well behind, last of 4, dist behind Astigos (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
The Shepherd King (IRE) 33-1 (9-10) Ran loose before start, led at fast pace and clear, reduced advantage 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, no extra in 4th when fell 2 out, at Down Royal 2m hcp Yielding in Oct.
Young Palm (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 5 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 8 3/4l behind Willie Hall (10-0) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Held up in last pair, struggling 6th, never dangerous, tailed off, 6th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Willie Hall (10-2) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Willie Hall 5-1 (11-0) In rear, effort 4 out, hampered 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 34 1/4l behind Rosquero (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Clan Chief 11-4fav (10-11) Led, headed after 3rd, mistake 4th, led 7th, mistake 6 out, headed 4 out, ridden before and held when hampered and unseated rider 3 out, at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Castlelawn (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Soon led, headed 4 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
