raced keenly, led until 3rd, most chased winner after, reached for 7th, pushed along before 4 out, plugged on from next, no chance with winner
last pair, reminder after 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, pushed along and stayed on same pace in 3rd from 4 out
tracked leader, led 3rd, made rest, ridden before 4 out, went right 3 out and next, clear before last, stayed on well
last pair, headway chasing leaders after 8th, challenging for 2nd when mistake 4 out, soon ridden and well held when mistake next, weakened, hit 2 out
Monsieur Co and Get Out The Gate are previous course winners but neither arrive in particularly good form, though that’s an accusation that can be levelled at most of this small field. DUKE OF NAVAN would have picked up and carried these in his prime but is not the force of old. However, the 12-year-old is dropped in grade and it will be disappointing if he can’t end a losing run that stretches back more than two years.
Duke Of Navan (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway before 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 11, 8 1/2l behind Western Miller (10-11) at Doncaster 2m hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Pistol Park (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Get Out The Gate (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Prominent early, mid-division, driven and outpaced before 4 out, left disputing modest 4th when hampered 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 10, 27l behind Greaneteen (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Ardera Cross (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Prominent, lost place 6th, behind and struggling 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Monsieur Co (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden after 5 out, stayed on into modest 4th after 2 out, no chance with leaders, 4th of 10, 16 1/2l behind Greaneteen (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
