tracked leader, lost place approaching 5 out, soon tailed off
held up in rear, headway under pressure approaching 4 out, chased leaders next, no extra flat
made all, jumped well throughout, under pressure approaching 2 out, all out
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, under pressure approaching 8th, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, effort after 3 out, soon ridden to challenge, weakened last
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, went 2nd 4 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out
Sun Tzu certainly wasn't winning out of turn at Stratford last month but Richard Newland's Irish import continues to look a tricky ride, though will probably appreciate this step up in distance. However, he has to give 4lb to ALWAYS BOLD who could have picked up and carried half of these on his best form and drops into this lowly grade for the first time. His recent efforts have been far from inspiring but he must be worth another chance with his stable on a high following Saturday's Grand National. Cannon Fire was pulled up in his only start since August but Vivarini ran well when second here in November, though has disappointed since.
Cannon Fire (FR) 20-1 (10-13) In rear, lost touch when struggling after 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Awesome Freddie (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Vivarini 22-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders in 3rd, close up 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened from 2 out, last of 7, 24l behind Master Fong (11-5) at Haydock 2m sll hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Tracked leader, left disputing lead 3rd, led after 5th, headed before 7th, ridden and lost place approaching bypassed 3 out, soon outpaced, 3 lengths down in clear 3rd next, rallied and upsides last, stayed on to lead flat, kept on towards finish, won at Stratford 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Mar beating Rhyton (10-4) by 2l, 8 ran.
Always Bold (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Led, headed 9th, weakened on long run to 2 out, 9th of 10, 46l behind Stagecoach Opal (10-3) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Pocket Too 12-1 (11-12) In touch, lost place 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Molly Round (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Feb, 14 ran.
Yetholm (USA) 16-1 (11-1) In rear and jumped right throughout, headway on outer before 8th, soon lost place, never dangerous, last of 8, well behind Qianshan Leader (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Jewellery (IRE) 3-1 (10-2) Mid-division, went 3rd approaching 8th, ridden to chase winner before 2 out, switched right before last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/4l behind Drumbeater (9-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
