mid-division, mistake 2nd, headway next, went close 2nd 2 out, no impression flat, stayed on same pace
mid-division, mistake 2nd, lost place 4th, well beaten before 4 out
led, hit 4 out, headed when mistake 2 out, mistake last, one pace
held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, some headway approaching 4 out, no impression, soon weakened
held up, headway 4th, no extra when mistake 3 out
held up, headway when hit 4 out, went 3rd last, stayed on to close on 2nd flat, no impression on winner
held up in rear, mistake 7th, some headway into 5th 3 out, stayed on flat, never nearer
always prominent, challenged 3 out, led before next, driven clear flat
tracked leaders, jumped left 2nd, went 2nd after 4th until 7th, weakened approaching 4 out
Anquetta tackled most of the big 2m handicaps last spring but returns from a break under top weight here. De Boitron is an infrequent winner while Stormy Weather has plenty of weight for a novice and was just starting to struggle when unseating his rider at Doncaster last time. CICERON was eventually second in that Doncaster race and is steadily finding his feet over the larger obstacles. He won a competitive handicap hurdle off a higher mark around this time last year and could be the one to beat today as Swift Arrow couldn't complete the hat-trick off his new mark here last time, though the drop back to 2m will suit. Prince Of Dreams looks best of the rest as both Quito Du Tresor and Red Tanber have lost their way.
Anquetta (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed before 4 out, kept on, weakened last, 5th of 9, 23l behind Doeslessthanme (11-11) at Ayr 2m hcp chs (2) gd in Apr.
Stormy Weather (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Prominent, led 6th, headed approaching 4 out, no extra 3 out, weakened next, mistake and unseated rider last, in a race won by Conquisto (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (4) sft in Dec, 6 ran.
De Boitron (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 6 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 16, 27l behind Court By Surprise (10-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gs in Dec.
Swift Arrow (IRE) 5-2fav (11-6) Held up in rear, headway 11th, chased leaders under pressure before 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take narrow 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Bocciani (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
Lucky Landing (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind I Have Dreamed (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f listed hcp chs (1) gd in Jul.
Ciceron (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up, headway when hit 5th, challenged 4 out, soon ridden, no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 14l behind Conquisto (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Quito Du Tresor (FR) 7-1 (11-2) In touch, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 10, 18l behind Swift Arrow (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Prince Of Dreams 9-2 (11-12) Held up, took keen hold, headway 6th, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and every chance flat, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Arthur's Pass (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Red Tanber (IRE) 22-1 (10-6) Pressed leader, lost place 12th, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Bocciani (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan.
