led, ridden and headed 2 out, chased winner until last, weakened flat
in touch when went wrong and pulled up soon after 4th
in touch, chased leaders 4th, ridden approaching 6th, every chance when hit 3 out, weakened rapidly well before 2 out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden in mid-division after 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off
chased leader until before 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on between last 2, chased winner last, strong challenge close home, just failed
held up in rear, headway on inside after 3 out, stayed on before last, kept on well to take 4th final 100 yards
mid-division on inside, smooth headway to 3rd after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, driven 1 length ahead last, held on gamely close home, all out
mid-division, behind from 6th, tailed off
towards rear, headway to 4th after 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden and still pressing leaders last, weakened flat
chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened soon after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 5th, hit 3 out and ridden, weakened well before 2 out
always behind, ridden and struggling 6th, tailed off
rear of mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon struggling, tailed off
towards rear, stayed on from approaching 2 out, never in contention
chased leaders, mistake 6th and 3 out, weakened and hit 2 out
behind, ridden after 3rd, lost touch 6th, tailed off
chased leaders on inside, ridden well before 2 out, stayed on well from last, took 3rd final 150 yards
Nonrunner
Nicky Henderson saddles three in this very tricky opener the pick of which may be Cucumber Run, who is chasing a hat-trick after wins at Huntingdon and Hereford. The Reformer was only second to Skint at Wincanton in November but has improved since and looks the pick of Paul Nicholls' pair. Captain Kirkton beat Get It On at Fontwell last month but didn't quite run up to that form when only fourth at Huntingdon next time and more interesting is Mic's Delight, who has improved with experience and beat Global Power at Leicester last month. Blenheim Brook returned to winning ways at Musselburgh last time but Taunton winner Dynaste has a lot to do under top weight and Invictus continues to disappoint. Brunswick Gold may struggle to dominate this big field so the vote goes to RISAALA. Pam Sly's mare gets on really well with Gina Andrews and was just beaten in the valuable Listed mares' bumper on this card 12 months ago. Already a winner over hurdles at Huntingdon and Market Rasen this season, she doesn't look badly handicapped here.
Dynaste (FR) 5-2fav (10-6) Made all, clear 2 out, strongly pressed and held on gamely close home, all out, won at Taunton 2m 3f cond hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Organisateur (11-9) by shd, 15 ran.
Captain Kirkton (IRE) 11-4 (11-3) Chased clear leader and winner on inside, close up 4th, driven and outpaced 2 out, kept on same pace under pressure approaching last, no impression flat, 4th of 5, 4l behind Aikman (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nh nov hdl (2) sft in Feb.
Cucumber Run (IRE) 4-5fav (11-8) Prominent on outside, challenged 3 out, led approaching last, pushed out, won at Hereford 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Jan beating Easter Meteor (11-2) by 4l, 16 ran.
Owen Glendower (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in 4th and off the pace, effort and closed before 3 out, outpaced before next, well held in 4th when hit last, 4th of 7, 24l behind Cue Card (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hdl G2 (1) gd in Nov.
Mic's Delight (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Led until 3rd, with leader, led 6th, not fluent 3 out, mistake last, soon ridden and headed narrowly, rallied to regain lead towards finish, edged left close home, won at Leicester 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb beating Global Power (11-8) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Global Power (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, mid-division, headway approaching 6th, mistake 3 out, chased winner before next, led flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Mic's Delight (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Skint 4-7fav (11-7) Tracked leaders in 4th on inner, pushed along after 4 out, chased leading pair approaching next, ridden before 2 out, weakened after last, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Wyse Hill Teabags (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Feb.
The Reformer (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Mid-division in touch, headway 3 out, switched inside and chased winner before next, soon ridden, lost 2nd between last 2, no impression approaching last, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Chablais (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
San Remo Bello (FR) 9-2 (11-9) In touch, headway to press winner approaching 2 out, ridden and chance last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Brunswick Gold (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Feb.
Blenheim Brook (IRE) 3-10fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 4 out, clear approaching next, easily, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb beating Smithy The Horse (11-2) by 16l, 7 ran.
Invictus (IRE) 2-1fav (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden after 7th, disputing close 5th when hampered 3 out, left 3rd when weakening 2 out, 3rd of 14, 20l behind Maringo Bay (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft in Feb.
Risaala 7-2 (10-12) Raced on inside, held up in mid-division, steady headway after 3 out, went 2nd on inside before last, led and hit last, stayed on well and in command flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gd in Feb beating Thanks For Coming (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Brunswick Gold (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Led 2nd, made rest, hit 6th, ridden 3 out, driven out flat, won at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Feb beating San Remo Bello (11-9) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
Grafite 16-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway approaching 6th, went 3rd 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Mic's Delight (11-8) at Leicester 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Lively Baron (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders, hit 4th, joined leader 7th, every chance before 3 out, soon weakened and hit 3 out, 7th of 8, 33l behind Back In Focus (11-4) at Haydock 3m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Feb.
Tricky Tree (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, ridden to challenge 3 out, led before next, hard pressed last, headed narrowly flat, kept on until no extra near finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Upthemsteps (11-8) at Warwick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Feb.
Occasionally Yours (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner 5th until ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 6l behind Brunswick Gold (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Feb.
Get It On (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway after 5th, chased winner after 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 13, 9l behind Captain Kirkton (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) gs in Feb.
