held up in touch on outside, went 2nd before 5th until after 7th, weakened after 3 out
held up, well in touch from 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, challenged 2 out, driven to lead narrowly before last, asserting towards finish
led, joined from 2 out, headed narrowly before last, held towards finish
chased leader until not fluent 3rd, went 2nd after 7th until after 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until before 5th, lost place 7th, behind and going very slowly 4 out, fell last
Follow The Bear, rated 129, was an early faller when a hot favourite at Southwell last month but has not really gone forward since a victory at Kempton last May. Despite being easy to back, UPPERTOWN PRINCE (NAP) made an impressive debut under Rules here last month, drawing well clear without being asked a serious question. He looks a very nice prospect for the McCain team and can double his tally. Samuel Jackson also made a winning start under Rules, at Taunton, but Doctor Haze disappointed at Leicester after finishing second at Chepstow.
Follow The Bear (IRE) 11-10fav (11-4) Led, fell 4th, at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Dec.
Samuel Jackson 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, jumped right 2 out, led after last, ran on strongly, won at Taunton 3m (4) sft in Dec beating As I See It (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 11 ran.
Uppertown Prince (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Close up, headway to lead approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating The Dellercheckout (10-12) by 7l, 12 ran.
Doctor Haze 11-4jfav (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Arthington (11-8) at Leicester 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Happy Ring House (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Alw in rr, nev a dngr, ko bhnd, 5th of 13, dist behind Sunny West (12-2) at Kirkistown 3m mdn gs in Feb.
