held up mid-division, went 2nd before last, no impression
made all, soon clear, unchallenged
tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
tracked winner to 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
held up behind, headway 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out, no extra from last
tracked leaders, chased winner from 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before last, one pace
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd from last, kept on same pace
Number One London is best watched on his first start since finishing a well-beaten second at Hexham in September. Never Says Never had been headed when falling at Exeter in December as he chased a hat-trick. Course winner Rafafie is interesting after an encouraging reappearance at Wincanton, however, and Chepstow third Batavir should make a bold bid to defy top weight eased in grade. CRAZY JACK looked to be back on a decent mark when third at Ludlow and is more effective over this shorter trip – Kim Bailey's eight-year-old looks the one to beat.
Batavir (FR) 8-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, not fluent when close up 3 out, every chance next, one pace from last, 3rd of 17, 7 1/2l behind Arpege D'alene (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Driftashore (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division on outside, weakened 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Delgany Demon (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Crazy Jack (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked winner throughout and kept wide, ridden before 3 out, edged right and beaten next, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Arctic Gold (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Number One London (IRE) 10-11fav (11-5) Chased winner throughout, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, no chance after, tailed off, 2nd of 7, 37l behind Samedi Soir (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) gd in Sep.
Auenwirbel (GER) 12-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, not fluent 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next, at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Lava Lamp (GER) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, driven and one pace when fell 4 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Never Says Never 4-9fav (12-4) Went left 1st, held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, led 3 out, narrowly headed when fell next, at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Church Hall (IRE) 20-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, mistake next, pushed along in 4th before 2 out, hit 2 out, weakened into 5th and mistake last, 5th of 12, 14l behind Flintham (11-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Stiff Upper Lip (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up behind, ridden before 4 out, never a threat, 9th of 11, dist behind Harley Rebel (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Rafafie 11-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, mistake last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 12, 1 1/4l behind Floresco (10-13) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
