led in start, led until 4th, chased leader until pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next
chased leaders, driven in 4th before 2 out, weakened 2 out
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, 2nd again 5th, led before 2 out until approaching 2 out, chased winner, held when hit last, one pace run-in
mid-division, headway 5th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, in command when hit last, driven clear run-in
held up in rear, kept on into never nearer 4th run-in, never able to challenge
mid-division, weakening when mistake 2 out
towards rear, plugged on run-in, never a factor
held up in last trio, headway into modest 5th on long run before 2 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
behind, headway on long run before 2 out, went 3rd betweeen last two, no chance with leading duo
always towards rear, strugggling 3 out, never involved
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, mistake last
mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
took keen hold, tracked leading pair, 2nd at 3rd, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened quickly between last two
NonRunner
Affaire D'honneur was undoubtedly unlucky in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury as he lost many lengths at the start. He stayed on strongly in the closing stages without Gavin Sheehan resorting to the whip and will surely reverse that form with third Flying Angel so goes on the short-list. Ebony Express won this last year off a 1lb higher mark and has conditions in his favour again. He is 19lb better off with runner-up Rayvin Black, who has been running well in strong company this season and loves it here but now looks too high in the weights. Solstice Star has also shot up the handicap and may struggle to complete a six-timer but stablemates For Good Measure and Allee Bleue arrive in good form and should be thereabouts. Novices have a decent record in this and CLAYTON, a useful performer on the Flat, showed that heavy going was no problem when sluicing home in a maiden hurdle at Plumpton on his latest start. This is obviously a huge step up but there is untapped potential and Gary Moore wouldn't be running the bottom weight if he didn't fancy his chances.
Rayvin Black 10-3 (11-2) Made all, clear until 3rd, ridden before 2 out, stayed on gamely, drew clear again towards finish, won at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) sft in Feb beating Melodic Rendezvous (11-2) by 5l, 4 ran.
Allee Bleue (IRE) 5-2 (11-10) Made all, clear from 2 out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Jan beating Air Horse One (11-4) by 3 1/4l, 14 ran.
Solstice Star 13-2 (10-0) Made all, driven between last 2, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan beating Cheltenian (11-12) by 4l, 9 ran.
Flying Angel (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to challenge next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 22, 12 1/4l behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Affaire D'Honneur (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Behind, headway on inside after 3 out, stayed on well closing stages, never nearer, 4th of 22, 13l behind Agrapart (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Knockgraffon (IRE) 7-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd before 5th, challenged 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden and edged right, every chance flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Hit The Highway (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) hvy in Jan.
Sirop De Menthe (FR) 8-1 (10-9) Raced keenly, tracked leader and clear of rest, led 6th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 31 1/4l behind Different Gravey (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Sea Wall (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders bypassing omitted 2 out, soon one pace, weakened last, 5th of 6, 18 1/4l behind Royal Vacation (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Ebony Express 20-1 (10-8) Prominent, effort after 3 out, weakened next, 13th of 17, 35 3/4l behind Rock The Kasbah (11-5) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (1) sft in Jan.
Spice Fair 11-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders when hampered 2 out, ridden to challenge last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Howaboutnever (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
For Good Measure (IRE) 4-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, drew clear after last, very easily (no time taken due to poor visability), won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Benbecula (11-0) by 3 1/4l, 4 ran.
Prairie Town (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Tracked winner, driven after 2 out, lost place last, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat, 4th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Solstice Star (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Ozzy Thomas (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Always about same pace in mid-division, pushed along when not fluent 8th, struggling after, plugged on run-in, 5th of 9, 24 3/4l behind Hollywoodien (10-7) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Clayton 10-11fav (11-3) Took keen hold tracking leaders, led 2nd, clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Plumpton 2m mdn (5) hvy in Feb beating Generous Jack (11-3) by 16l, 12 ran.
Sunshine Corner (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased winner, until approaching last, faded run in, 4th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Jessber's Dream (11-2) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) hvy in Feb.
