tracked leaders, pushed along 4f out, ridden and weakened over 2f out, tailed off
behind, in touch in rear 10f out, headway on outer to track leaders over 3f out, every chance from over 1f out, ridden to press winner inside final furlong, just held
led, pushed along and headed entering final 3f, weakened 2f out
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden and every chance over 1f out, faded inside final furlong
held up, headway on inner 2f out, soon led, pressed inside final furlong, ran on gamely
keen in touch, ridden 2f out, switched right and stayed on final furlong, not trouble leaders
tracked leader, led entering final 3f, ridden and headed over 1f out, faded final furlong
VOLPONE JELOIS is consistency personified on the level without getting his head in front that often but arrives on the back of a ready success in what rated a competitive jumpers' bumper at Kempton last time. He gets on well with Megan Nicholls, who claims a handy 5lb, and it is surely significant that Paul Nicholls sends him all the way to the north east from his Somerset base. Mambo Dancer has responded well to a pretty busy winter schedule and should give this a good shot off top weight as he is the sole course and distance winner on show. Tor will have also have every chance if ready to roll on his reappearance and neither Bal De Rio nor Western Way can be ruled out in a competitive opener.
Mambo Dancer 2-1fav (9-2) Held up in touch, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 4th of 6, 9 1/4l behind Chocolate Box (9-4) at Chelmsford City 2m hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Western Way (IRE) 3-1 (9-10) In touch in rear, pushed along 8f out, reminders 5f out, driven and switched left 2f out, soon beaten, last of 5, 35 3/4l behind Cousin Khee (9-4) at Southwell 2m 2f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
Tor 4-9fav (10-12) Chased leaders, hit 5th, weakened between last 2, 6th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Level Of Intensity (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Volpone Jelois (FR) 10-1 (11-4) Made all, clear final 3f, unchallenged, won at Kempton 2m (4) pol in Mar beating Shall We Go Now (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Bal De Rio (FR) 10-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Bulkov (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Feb.
Saved By The Bell (IRE) 14-1 (8-13) In touch, headway over 1f out, stayed on well closing stages, 7th of 13, 3 1/4l behind Mobbhij (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) pol in Nov.
Leodis (IRE) 5-1 (8-7) Keen early, tracked leaders, ridden over 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 4th of 5, 13 3/4l behind Cousin Khee (9-4) at Southwell 2m 2f hcp (4) pol in Mar.
