held up in midfield, ridden and lost touch before 3 out, one pace
held up in rear, still in rear but close up 4 out, headway to chase leader approaching 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace from last
in touch, ridden to chase leader 4 out, weakened before 3 out, well beaten when pulled up before 2 out
held up, jumped left 2nd, in touch when mistake 3 out, weakening when jumped left 2 out, kept on from last
pressed leader, ridden before 3 out, still close up 2 out, kept on from last but could not match winner
made all, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from last
NonRunner
Hooligan has won both starts over hurdles, both on soft ground, and now dips a toe into handicap company. Brinkley is also having a first run in a handicap having beaten a decent field over 2m4f at Newbury in February but he looks as though he needs further. Adicci has to go on the shortlist having justified strong market support at Fontwell on his first run following wind surgery but he and most of the others are giving away lumps of weight to course specialist TRANS EXPRESS. Sue Gardner’s 10-year-old is bidding for victory number six here and just came up short last month. He’s 2lb higher today but still very well treated on his best form. Accomplice has been raised 3lb for his second at Wincanton but remains unexposed and can’t be ignored.
Dan McGrue (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, improved 5th, led briefly before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 15, 29 3/4l behind Main Fact (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Hooligan (IRE) 6-4 (11-3) Raced keenly, tracked leader, hit 4 out pushed along before next, ridden and 5 lengths down looking held at the last, closed steadily to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m (2) sft in Nov beating Mackenberg (11-3) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Brinkley (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leader, led going well between last 2, ridden clear on extended run-in, won at Newbury 2m 5f (4) sft in Feb beating Do Your Job (10-12) by 15l, 10 ran.
Adicci (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Held up, headway after 4 out, ridden and headway into 2nd after 2 out, led after last, kept on well, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Tap Tap Boom (11-12) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Buckhorn George 9-2 (11-5) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 9th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Carys' Commodity (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Trans Express (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Led, ridden approaching 3 out, joined 2 out, headed before last, kept on but could not match winner, 2nd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Mystic Dreamer (11-10) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Accomplice (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, closer on outside 4 out, hit next, disputing 2nd before 2 out, outright 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2l behind River Bray (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
