led until 6th, led next, headed 10th, mistake and no extra 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, driven out
held up, took keen hold, hit 5th, mistake 7th (water), steady headway from 9th, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on, not able to challenge
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, jumped slowly 7th (water), mistakes 12th and 4 out, weakened after 3 out, fell 2 out
prominent, not fluent and outpaced 11th, well held after, mistake 2 out, went 4th before last
in rear, behind from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 6th, headed next, led 10th, headed last, hung left flat, stayed on, held by winner
Nicto De Beauchene did well to hold off Rebel Du Maquis at Taunton 11 days ago but now carries an additional penalty and is no certainty to confirm that form with third How's My Friend. Ravethebrave won at Fakenham last month but was an expensive failure at Leicester next time while 3m stretches the stamina of Sandown second Dead Or Alive. Vic Venturi finished ahead of Nicto De Beauchene at Haydock last month but is getting a bit long in the tooth and Man From Moscow needs to improve to figure in this better grade while Offshore Account's best days may be behind him, though he did win between the flags earlier this month and landed this last year. TROUBLE DIGGER readily mastered subsequent winner Penmore Hill at Lingfield on his debut under Rules over fences and can improve again to take this.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 8-1 (12-4) Led, joined 3 out, narrowly headed 2 out, led again before last, strongly pressed when not fluent last, stayed on flat, just held on, won at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft beating Rebel Du Maquis (11-11) by hd, 5 ran.
Offshore Account (IRE) 11-10 (12-7) (cp) (tt) hdwy 11; led aft 3 out; just held on, won at Duke of Beaufort's 3m ptp gd beating Ned The Post (12-4) by hd, 10 ran.
Ravethebrave (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, not fluent 6th, 3rd and one pace last, 3rd of 9, 11l behind Sorted (12-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hts chs (3) sft.
Trouble Digger 6-1 (11-11) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, went 2nd before 6th, led travelling well on long run to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, in command before last, stayed on well, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hts chs (6) hvy in Feb beating Penmore Mill (11-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Dead Or Alive (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led 3rd, blundered and headed 7th, chased leader, blundered 13th, lost 2nd and dropped out to rear approaching next, rallied to 3rd 4 out, pushed along and stayed on to 2nd flat, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Gwanako (11-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft.
Man From Moscow 33-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, went 2nd 11th, led soon after, headed and dropped to 3rd just before 4 out, left 2nd 3 out, no chance with very easy winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Radetsky March (11-13) at Fontwell 3m 2f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Vic Venturi (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) In touch in 4th, with leader 8th, led before 10th, soon headed, rallied 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Cottage Oak (11-13) at Haydock 3m hts chs (4) hvy in Feb.
How's My Friend 7-1 (11-7) Raced wide tracking leading pair in 3rd and 4th, badly outpaced 3 out, rallied and hung badly left flat, strong run to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Nicto De Beauchene (12-4) at Taunton 2m 7f hts chs (6) sft.
