held up, headway approaching 2nd, led approaching 5 out, soon clear, eased flat
soon behind
held up in touch, ridden 7th, chased winner 3 out, kept on but no chance with winner
chased leader to 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace
jumped right, held up, headway 4th, ran on one pace from 2 out
led to approaching 5 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, lost place 3rd, soon behind
held up, not fluent 2nd, headway 7th, ridden, weakened approaching 5 out
A disappointing finale can go to Better Moment, with Sunshan, Taksina and Risington also shortlisted. The Martin Pipe-trained nine-year-old is creeping back up the handicap following his Plumpton win but is good enough to handle the extra weight and won off a higher rating earlier in his career. Of the others, Sunshan could go well and may well have needed his recent outings. If he can recapture the form he showed last summer then he could be a big threat. Taksina has been running consistently, and his pilot is able to claim eight-pounds, while Risington should now strip fitter and could be involved without being good enough. All in all, Better Moment is a confident choice in a poor race.
Better Moment (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Led to 5th, soon driven along, headway 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Feb beating Sunset King (10-10) by 2l, 12 ran.
Sunshan 33-1 (9-7) Mid-division, mistake 7th, weakened 11th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Even More (11-6) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Sweet Minuet 66-1 (10-4) Chased leaders in 3rd, weakened 10th, mistake next, soon lost touch, 6th of 7, 39l behind Reveillez (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 5f beg chs (4) gs in Feb.
Taksina 7-2 (11-5) Chased leader until weakened and lost place 10th, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 6, 16l behind Quizzling (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Risington 14-1 (11-0) In touch, hit 7th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind The Local (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) sft in Feb.
Kinkeel (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division until weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 16, 25l behind Sistema (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gd.
Blazing Batman 100-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden and struggling when mistake 16th, 8th of 12, 35l behind Inca Trail (12-2) at Sandown 3m amt chs (3) sft.
Golden Tamesis 125-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Launde (11-2) at Leicester 2m mdn chs (4) sft in Feb, 11 ran.
Twist N Turn 12-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, blundered badly 6th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, well behind Persian Point (10-13) at Catterick 2m mdn chs (4) gs.
