led to start, led, clear over 10f out until over 4f out, headed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
towards rear, headway on outside over 10f out, lost place 8f out, well behind final 5f, tailed off
mid-division went 3rd 8f out, went 2nd 3f out, led over 2f out, quickened clear over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, easily
held up towards rear, headway from 8f out, went 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, kept on
in rear, well behind final 5f, tailed off
chased leader until 3f out, weakened from over 2f out
held up in rear, headway from over 5f out, went 3rd 2f out, switched left just over 1f out, no impression on winner, kept on
soon rear of mid-division, outpaced 4f out, kept on from over 1f out, never dangerous
2nd or 3rd until 8f out, weakened 6f out, tailed off
The Steward was allowed to take a clear lead by the rest of the field over track and trip last week and took advantage to record an easy win. But it’s unlikely he’ll be shown such leniency by today’s rivals. Gylo ran well for third in one of these contests last month but RETURN TICKET is not out of this on jumps ratings having won one of two starts in bumpers in his younger days. Romeo Brown finished a long way behind The Steward last time but had gone close here before that.
The Steward (USA) 9-1 (11-4) Prominent, soon led, pulled half a furlong clear halfway, still well clear when ridden over 2f out, canter, won at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Feb beating Zamarkhan (11-4) by 13l, 12 ran.
Cryogenics (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, headway to challenge 4 out, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 16, 31 1/2l behind Dubai Days (12-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Gylo (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Midfield on inside, headway travelling strongly over 2f out, close up when ridden over 1f out, led briefly just inside final furlong, soon headed and no extra, 3rd of 13, 3 1/4l behind Wise Eagle (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Jan.
Lleyton (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Restrained in rear, switched towards near side and ridden over 2f out, no impression, 6th of 8, 9 1/2l behind Madeeh (8-9) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Jan.
Pass Rusher (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, ridden along when pressed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off last, 7th of 9, 29 1/4l behind Saint Arvans (11-7) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Return Ticket (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway from 9th, went 3rd well behind front pair 10th, went 2nd before 4 out, no chance with winner, mistake 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 20l behind Romain De Senam (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Romeo Brown 10-3jfav (11-4) Held up towards rear, switched right and ridden 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, ran on, 3rd of 12, 13 1/4l behind The Steward (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) pol in Feb.
Desaray Girl (FR) 33-1 (11-2) Held up early, headway tracking leading pair 3rd until next, remained handy and went 3rd again before 2 out, no impression and lost that placing soon after 2 out, 4th of 6, 13 1/2l behind Whitehotchillifili (11-0) at Sandown 2m 4f lst (1) hvy in Jan.
Hellfire Kode 100-1 (8-5) Chased leader until 2f out, soon beaten, last of 9, 17 3/4l behind Ad Libitum (9-1) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Blakeney Point 10-1 (10-7) Behind, slow 1st, stayed on from 3 out, never involved, closing on 4th towards finish, 5th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Christopher Wood (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (2) sft in Feb.
