led until 6th, pressed leader, lost 2nd after 18th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out
mostly jumped well, tracked leader, led 6th, clipped 16th, went clear 4 out, 2 lengths ahead when clipped 2 out, ridden and narrowly headed approaching last, rallied gamely run-in, just failed
tracked leader until 2nd, chased leading pair, jumped slowly and lost 3rd 7th, hit next, bad mistake 16th, pulled up before 18th
held up in last pair, dropped to last at 7th, badly outpaced 13th, closer when left in 4th place 18th, outpaced before next, rallied into 3rd before next, stayed on well run-in
held up in last pair, closer at 7th, went 3rd at 16th, 2nd after 18th, closer after 2 out, led narrowly approaching the last, hard ridden run-in, all out
NonRunner
Chef D'Oeuvre placed over course and distance off a higher mark two years ago and ran better than final result suggests last time at Doncaster. Stamina certainly won’t be an issue for Samuel Jackson as he won the Devon National last month at Exeter. Christmas In April won that race last year and also the Sussex National at Plumpton but he’s looked in the handicapper’s grip this season. This year’s Sussex National winner Seaston Spirit was never travelling at Wincanton last month when on a four-timer but his rider claims 10lb today. DESTINEE ROYALE steps up in trip again after winning over 3m at Wetherby but it may be a gamble worth taking as she is clearly a talented mare with few miles on the clock.
Christmas In April (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, weakened after 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Destinee Royale (FR) 10-3 (12-4) Chased leaders, dived through 2 out but no problem, led last, stayed on, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Cash To Ash (11-12) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
Samuel Jackson 4-1fav (11-0) Led until 4th, chased leader, led again 15th, pushed along and headed 4 out, chased leader, rallied to lead again towards finish, won at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb beating Tea Time On Mars (10-5) by nk, 14 ran.
Boyhood (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Chased leaders out wide, ridden in well held 3rd before 4 out, weakened last, 6th of 14, 11 1/2l behind Samuel Jackson (11-0) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Chef D'Oeuvre (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, closed 10th, mistake 11th, struggling 14th, effort 4 out, mistake 3 out, beaten before next, 5th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Red Infantry (10-2) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
Seaston Spirit 7-1 (11-1) Never going well in rear, pulled up after slow jump 12th, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
