held up in rear in well grouped field, headway 7th, led when not fluent last, stayed on well to assert flat
prominent, pushed wide well before 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression after
in touch, hit 5th, lost place next, behind 7th, tailed off
held up in well grouped field, headway on inside 3 out, hit 2 out, went left and not fluent last, went 2nd briefly flat, no extra towards finish
held up, took keen hold, soon in touch, weakening when not fluent 2 out
led 2nd, not fluent 2 out, headed last, no extra
not always fluent, prominent early, tracked leaders, weakened after 7th
held up in rear, hampered 6th, headway and pushed wide well before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led until 2nd, prominent, not fluent 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened after 2 out
raced wide early, in touch, close up when blundered and unseated rider 6th
tracked leaders, jumped slowly 4th, every chance when mistake 2 out, hung left and no impression on winner flat
Nonrunner
Vic Dartnall has won the last two renewals of this race and can complete the nap-hand with SIR KEZBAAH who is preferred to Lord Ragnar and Marley Roca. Interestingly enough he has won the race with real chasing types in Dastardly Dick and Exmoor Ranger. Like his stablemates, Sir Kezbaah is likely to go over fences in the near future but his winning over hurdles might not be over just yet. A stout stayer, he won at Lingfield in January before bold efforts in defeat at Exeter and Taunton. The longer trip this afternoon will suit and with his jockey knowing him well the pair should run a big race. Lord Ragnar has plenty of weight to carry and his jockey cannot claim, however the horse is capable of better than two runs as a beaten favourite might suggest. Marc Aurele looks fairly handicapped now, Marley Roca ran a blinder behind Oenologue last time and his previous form with Aather and Radium looks solid, whilst Shalamiyr will like this ground more than at Chepstow last time out. Civil Servant probably needs the ground a bit quicker, former point-to-point winner City Heights has something to prove over this trip, whilst Buffalo Stampede is unexposed and the yard are now in some very good form. Beau Lake cannot be ignored off bottom-weight, however this can go once again to Vic Dartnall with Sir Kezbaah.
Lord Ragnar (IRE) 7-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden next, never able to challenge, 7th of 13, 20l behind Leith Walk (9-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
Sir Kezbaah (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) Led, well clear after 2nd, 15 lengths ahead 4 out, reduced lead soon after next, joined 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied gamely, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind King's Legacy (11-1) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Marc Aurele (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place and dropped rear 4th, some headway approaching 3 out, soon one pace, no impression, 7th of 9, 23l behind Arctic Wings (10-1) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Marley Roca (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 5th, headway on inside 3 out, stayed on under pressure to take 3rd after last, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Shalamiyr (FR) 10-3 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 38l behind Silver Kate (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Princely Hero (IRE) 50-1 (11-10) Prominent, disputing 3rd when fell 6th, in a race won by Oenologue (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb, 16 ran.
Civil Servant 16-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 17, 47l behind Share Option (10-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Feb.
City Heights (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 12th of 13, well behind Dr Hart (10-6) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Buffalo Stampede (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Ravenclaw (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Inside Dealer (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) In rear, headway into mid-division, not on terms before 4 out, weakened soon after, 9th of 17, well behind Viking Blond (10-13) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Beau Lake (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 6th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 29l behind Salden Licht (11-10) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rock 'n' Roller (FR) 12-1 (11-2) In touch, riddden after 4 out, weakened before next, behind when hampered 2 out, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Tail Of The Bank (11-12) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs.
