in rear, headway before 4 out to track leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led, headed narrowly 5th, remained close up, led next, headed 4 out, every chance 3 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner before last
tracked leader, with leader 4th, led narrowly 5th, headed next, led again 4 out, clear after 2 out, eased towards finish
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to track leaders, switched left before 2 out, one pace when not fluent last, weakened run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, jumped slow 1st, soon pushed along and lost place, tailed off when pulled up after 4th
Smack That was beaten in a seller at Ludlow last month while Black Apache and Solway Ally are probably best watched returning from a lay-off and Forcefield has yet to reproduce some decent bumper form over hurdles so far. Mister Pete is knocking on the door again, however, though is still 15lb higher than when recording the second of back-to-back victories over this C&D a year ago so preference is for KEMPSKI. Ray Nixon's veteran loves the mud and is fancied to defy a 7lb rise in the weights for winning at Ayr last week.
Smack That (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway after 6th, never got on terms with leaders, one pace from 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 20l behind Mickmacmagoole (11-3) at Ludlow 2m sell hdl (5) gd in Feb.
Kempski 7-1 (9-11) Made virtually all, joined 7th, left 3 lengths clear briefly 4 out, driven and hard pressed from next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy beating Circus Clown (10-11) by hd, 8 ran.
Mister Pete (IRE) 5-2 (10-1) Tracked winner, ridden before 3 out, one pace froom 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Double Eagle (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Feb.
Forcefield 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 5th of 14, well behind Flinty Bay (11-2) at Ayr 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Black Apache (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Bellflower Boy (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Solway Ally 11-2 (11-4) Led to 7th, in touch until driven and outpaced 9th, lost place 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 50l behind Flying Doctor (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
