led, hit 2nd, stumbled and unseated rider 3rd
chased leaders, led 5th until 3 out, one pace from next
with leader, left in lead 3rd, headed 5th, led again 3 out, clear approaching last, eased towards finish
held up, headway 5th, stayed on well from 2 out
prominent, lost place 6th, stayed on well from 2 out, took 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
in rear, some headway 6th, weakened from 8th
behind, tailed off from 4th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, lost place 6th
always behind, struggling from 4th
prominent, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from next
It will be interesting to see how Commander Vic performs on his second start over hurdles but he is likely to want further to show his best form and David Pipe's gelding is probably best left out of calculations with preference for Barbers Shop, who gets the vote Kedgeree. The last mentioned showed improved form on his second start over hurdles at Ludlow recently and has to be respected with more improvement expected. King Mak sprung a major surprise when successful at Newcastle last time but faces no easy task under his penalty today, while Annie's Answer may also struggle with the extra burden of 7lbs for her success at Huntingdon. Let It Burn looks the clear second string of the two Pipe runners, while Cashback Rose would need to step up on the form shown when making her debut for Nicky Richards at Musselburgh last month. The vote then goes to Barbers Shop who also has a penalty to carry but she has run well under one before and this shorter trip may help Nicky Henderson's gelding.
Barbers Shop 1-4fav (11-10) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden to challenge 2 out, every chance when mistake last, held flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Unowatimeen (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Feb.
King Mak 100-1 (11-1) Made all, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy beating Lambrini Legend (11-1) by 9l, 14 ran.
Annie's Answer (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Led, headed 5th, chased leader after, stayed on to lead close home, won at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb beating Persona (11-2) by 3/4l, 17 ran.
Commander Vic (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, soon no impression, 6th of 16, 29l behind Missis Potts (10-9) at Wincanton 2m mdn hdl (4) sft.
Kedgeree 15-2 (11-1) Held up, headway 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 16, 11l behind I'm So Lucky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Let It Burn (FR) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 45l behind Clay Hollister (10-7) at Fontwell 1m 6f mdn nhf (6) sft in Feb.
Mag Num (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Prominent, mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 33l behind Gabier (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Cashback Rose (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden 9th and soon beaten, 10th of 15, well behind Gold Thread (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Feb.
