in rear and in touch, ridden in 3rd after 5 out, weakened before 2 out, lost 3rd place before last
tracked winner, disputed lead from 11th, led narrowly before 5 out, ridden and pressed when bumped 4 out, headed before next, kept on from last
led and jumped right throughout, joined from 11th, headed narrowly before 5 out, challenged and bumped rival 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, clear before 2 out, eased towards finish
tracked leaders, mistake 4th and dropped to rear, regained 3rd from 6th, reminders 12th, soon lost place and outpaced, went remote 3rd before last
Flying Squad has rather lost the plot since rattling up a quick double at Fakenham and Towcester in January but is gradually dropping to a more reasonable mark. Aitchdoubleyou returns from a long absence and has only ever won at Uttoxeter while Twelve Paces has been hunting this winter and was well beaten in a hunter chase on his return from a break at Kelso earlier this month. That leaves COPPER'S GOLD, who is 6lb higher than when just caught by Aghill at Musselburgh in January but has at least got some worthwhile recent form to recommend him and gets the vote on that basis.
Flying Squad (UAE) 50-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, raced wide, headway to chase leaders 4th, went 2nd 6th until before 3 out, weakened quickly and hit 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 49l behind Blu Teen (11-7) at Sandown 3m am chs 0-130 (3) gd.
Aitch Doubleyou (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Led until 5th, soon lost place, chased leaders approaching 8th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Tighe Caster (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 8 ran.
Copper's Gold (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, left in lead on paddock bend after 10th, reminder before next, ridden before 4 out, pressed from 2 out, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Aghill (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m Conditional Handicap Chase (0-100) (5yo+) (4) gd in Jan.
Twelve Paces 20-1 (11-7) Raced in rear, mistake 3rd, under pressure 13th, never a factor, 8th of 12, well behind Quotica De Poyans (12-1) at Kelso 2m 6f hts chs (6) gs.
