held up, headway 7th, joined leaders and not fluent 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd close home
held up, ridden after 7th, lost touch from next, pulled up before 4 out
chased winner, ridden along after 6th, behind from 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
made all, ridden after 3 out, drew clear after next, stayed on strongly
in touch until lost place quickly and pulled up after 7th
held up, smooth headway 7th, joined winner from next, every chance after 3 out, weakened from last
in touch, hit 6th, ridden and effort after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders until 7th, weakened 9th
Smart Cavalier can defy topweight, with Walcot Lad, Wild Power and Inaki just a few lively dangers. Smart Cavalier has only had four runs under rules, but is definitely going the right way judged on his winning performance at Folkestone in January. Three times successful between the flags, the Paul Nicholls inmate was taken off his feet at Warwick last time in the race won by Roznic, but remains a progressive sort, and as long as they do not go too fast here, he should be able to hunt up the leaders before pouncing in the straight. Walcot Lad is a course specialist, six of his seven career victories having come around the unique figure-of-eight circuit. He would prefer faster conditions though and is dropping back markedly in trip after making most over three-and-a-half miles recently. Wild Power bounced back to form at Hereford last time and is still well treated compared to two years ago, while Inaki is also handily weighted and will not mind the ground. All in all a quite competitive affair on paper, with Smart Cavalier taken to continue on the upgrade.
Smart Cavalier 9-4fav (11-4) In touch, stumbled approaching 6th, mistake 8th, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 27l behind Roznic (10-9) at Warwick 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, ridden and beaten 4 out, 7th of 11, 30l behind Von Origny (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Haafel (USA) 50-1 (11-12) Led, headed 7th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, 42l behind Runner Bean (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Feb.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Made all, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased near finish, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Dun Locha Castle (10-4) by 5l, 7 ran.
Acertack (IRE) 11-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led 10th, not fluent next, headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 4th of 7, 24l behind Roznic (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Feb.
Wild Power (GER) 7-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, headway 7th, led 3 out, challenged flat, held on, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Jupon Vert (11-1) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Inaki (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Mistake 7th, hit 9th and 4 out, closed after 3 out, ridden and ran on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Adecco (11-5) at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Taksina 9-2jt-fav (10-5) Chased leader to 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 8l behind Better Moment (11-4) at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Mar.
Sunley Future (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Took keen hold, saddle soon slipped, led until ran out at the 3rd in race won by Lord On The Run (11-5) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Mar, 6 ran.
