led, headed after 4rd, remained close up, led again before 5 out, pressed from 3 out, kept on and held on well run-in
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, ridden and one pace before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
prominent, led after 3rd, headed before 5 out, challenged 3 out, every chance and blundered 2 out, not fluent last, kept on and held run-in
in rear and mistakes, outpaced after 5th, weakened before 3 out
held up in touch and keen, in 3rd before 3 out until before last, no extra
On The Slopes is more exposed than some but finally came good over a slightly longer trip here last month. Despite a 7lb rise, he should be in the firing-line again though a couple of these may have more pace over the distance. Dr Sanderson has also been racing over further but has been gradually getting to grips with fences. Northern raider RETURN TICKET has been left on the same mark having coming up against an in-form rival at Catterick in January. He’d run in a Grade 1 at Sandown earlier and faces lesser opposition here. Ballinslea Bridge and Flying Tiger are probably both capable of better but Muratello may have been flattered by his second at Haydock two runs ago.
On The Slopes 2-1fav (11-7) Jumped boldly, made all, went left 9th, came clear from 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Not That Fuisse (11-8) by 5l, 7 ran.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 7-2fav (11-9) Held up behind, headway 8th, tracked leaders 5 out, ridden after 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, kept on, never getting to winner, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Almazhar Garde (11-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Muratello (FR) 15-8 (10-11) Chased winner, blundered 5th, ridden before omitted 3 out, no impression and lost 2nd before omitted last, weakened, 3rd of 4, 32l behind First Flow (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) hvy in Feb.
Return Ticket (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Raced wide, chased leaders, mistake 10th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, well held next, mistake last, never any chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Schiehallion Munro (11-4) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Ballinslea Bridge (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed last, no extra and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Zolfo (11-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Flying Tiger (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway 4 out, not fluent 3 out, no extra, 5th of 7, 24 1/2l behind Molineaux (11-5) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) sft in Jan.
