in rear, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced
tracked winner to 4th, regained 2nd 4 out, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, chased winner from 4th, every chance 3 out, chased winner before 2 out until no extra run-in
towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, chased winner run-in, kept on well towards finish
tracked leaders, pushed along before 3rd, in rear and outpaced before 4 out
made all, stayed on strongly from last
ENGROSSING has taken well to hurdles and was much too good for the four-year-old Top Of The Glas in a maiden at Ayr last month. This is a better race and he has a couple of in-form rivals to contend with but could be up to the task. Brave Spartacus is a lot better handicapped over hurdles than fences and won't go down without a fight but Roserrow has his first run since completing a double at Musselburgh in November. Figaro has an even longer absence to overcome while the remainder struggle to get their heads in front.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Close up, blundered 2nd, lost place from 7th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Runswick Royal (11-0) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (4) sft in Jan.
Figaro 12-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway over 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, weakened before last, 9th of 10, well behind Barton Stacey (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gf in Aug.
Engrossing 11-8fav (11-3) Left in lead 1st, made rest, ridden after last, kept on strongly, won at Ayr 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb beating Top of The Glas (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Avidity 7-2fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 10th of 11, 35l behind Right Step (10-5) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Feb.
Pistol (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) In touch, not fluent 3rd, outpaced from next, modest 7th and no impression before 2 out, 6th of 14, 24l behind Beg To Differ (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Feb.
Brave Spartacus (IRE) 7-2 (11-6) Made all, ridden approaching last, hard pressed flat, held on gamely, won at Catterick 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Feb beating Hartside (11-0) by hd, 9 ran.
Roserrow 5-1 (11-5) Made all, set strong pace, driven clear 2 out, mistake last, ran on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Ride The Range (11-5) by 8l, 8 ran.
