in rear, fell 1st
held up towards rear, good headway 6th, joined leaders 8th, led 11th, jumped left from 5 out, clear before 4 out, very easily
held up in rear, jumped slowly 6th, steady headway 12th, ridden along in 4th before 4 out, went 3rd 4 out, stayed on to 2nd under pressure before last, never any chance with very easy winner
in touc, headway to 2nd at 7th, jumped slowly and lost 2nd 8th, soon lost place, ridden before 10th, soon struggling, behind when mistak 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, good headway to 5th at 10th, blundered 11th, weakened 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
led, headed approaching 10th, chased leader, driven 10th, losing place and towards rear when blundered badly 12th, pulled up before next
prominent, led approaching 10th, headed next, chased winner, ridden and well held before 4 out, lost modest 2nd approaching last
in touch towards rear, ridden and struggling 13th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, slow 10th, ridden and lost 3rd before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
Victors Serenade got off the mark over fences when scoring over a shorter trip at this track last time and there should be more to come from him, despite an 8lb rise. However, DEFINITE DAWN takes a drop in class today and a repeat of his second to Balthazar King at Cheltenham in October would make him the one to beat. Politeo went close when third to Gorge at Ludlow last time and is another to consider on that form, while Jaunty Journey has been placed on his last three starts and may well figure again with a 7lb conditional helping his cause today.
Grand Slam Hero (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden after 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Qulinton (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gs in Jul, 14 ran.
Victors Serenade (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, good headway on inside 5th, chased leaders 7th, went 2nd 8th, led next, pressed and hit 4 out, stayed on well and in command from 2 out, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Feb beating Gentle Bob (11-6) by 8l, 10 ran.
Politeo (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Led until 3rd, led 6th, headed next, led again 9th, headed flat, stayed on, held close home, 3rd of 8, 3/4l behind Gorge (10-13) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp ch 0-125 (3) gs in Jan.
Definite Dawn (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, chased winner from 3rd until next, remained in 3rd place, mistake 5th, outpaced 10th, no chance after, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Chariot Charger (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov chs (2) gs in Feb.
Temple Lord (FR) 9-1 (11-7) Held up, mistake 6th, headway 5 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, well behind On Borrowed Wings (11-5) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Feb.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 18-1 (9-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 15th, lost place 17th, well beaten after, 9th of 13, 23l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs G3 (1) gs in Jan.
Jaunty Journey 14-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, lost place and reminder 9th, blundered 11th, stayed on from 4 out, went 2nd close home, no impression on winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Mac Aeda (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb.
Mumbles Head (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway from 12th, went 2nd after 16th until 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 49l behind Marufo (10-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd.
Monsieur Cadou (FR) 16-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, ridden and left poor 3rd 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 8, 37l behind Cannington Brook (11-12) at Haydock 2m 4f Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (5yo+) (3) hvy in Feb.
