made all, driven between last 2, stayed on well
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, ridden and kept on from next, no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, lost place 4th, no danger after
with winner, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden and beaten
raced keenly, always behind
raced keenly in touch, lost place 3rd, soon behind
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
mid-division when blundered badly and unseated rider 2nd
chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, 8th and beaten when blundered last
behind, driven and kept on from 2 out, never nearer
in touch, headway 5th, effort 3 out, ridden and outpaced next
in touch, chased winner 2 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last
mid-division, jumped right and unseated rider 4th
John Forbes appreciated the drop in trip when winning at Sedgfield a fortnight ago and is taken to go in again, at the main expense of Cash Man, Tcherina, and Sculastic. Bryan Ellison's horses have been in decent form of late and his five-year-old gelding won as he liked last time out and whilst he has a penalty to shoulder today, he could be up to defying it. The ground suits well and he should be at home on this sharp track. Cash Man is one for place material but dropping in trip that appears to be all, whilst Sculastic will need to bounce back from his poor last run when he was well-beaten. If back on song he would rate a threat, as does Tcherina. He hasn't been given the hardest of rides over hurdles so far, however if ridden more positively today he would be a threat, although he may be seen to better effect over a longer trip. Mischief man should be watched in the betting for signs of confidence, however for the winner we will return to recent winner John Forbes.
John Forbes 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 4th, ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb beating Wise Owl (11-9) by 16l, 14 ran.
Bow School (IRE) 28-1 (11-3) Towards rear, never dangerous, 11th of 17, well behind Double Eagle (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Cash Man (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway 3 out, blundered last and no extra flat, 3rd of 14, 12l behind Key Time (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Charles Street 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, reminders after 3rd, soon struggling, 9th of 15, well behind Bywell Beau (11-6) at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Macchiato 16-1 (10-5) Chased leaders to 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Troll (11-3) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Mischief Man 17-2 (11-2) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 34l behind Top Dressing (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
You Bet (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 6th, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Valiant Shadow (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Navelina 66-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, mistake 5th, never near leaders, 8th of 17, 46l behind Annie's Answer (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Niza d'Alm (FR) 16-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 10th of 15, 32l behind Cheer Us On (10-10) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Apr.
Political Dancer 25-1 (10-4) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 8th of 14, well behind Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Sudden Impulse 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened 2 out, 7th of 17, 39l behind Annie's Answer (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Tcherina (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened soon after 3 out, 4th of 17, 23l behind Annie's Answer (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Sculastic 1-6fav (10-12) Chased leaders, mistake 4 out, led 3 out, headed last, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 17l behind English City (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f 4yo nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Follingworth (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) unseated rider in race won by Murphys Million (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f mdn hdl (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
