chased leading pair, went 2nd at 3rd, ridden after bypassing 3 out, no impression, dropped to 3rd before last, lost that placing close home
well behind, blundered badly 4th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch until fell 3rd
led until headed approaching and dropped to 3rd place at 3rd, dropped to 4th after 6th, plugged on and took modest 3rd close home
always behind, tailed off bypassing 3 out, went badly left next
chased leader, led approaching 3rd, clear bypassing 3 out, ridden out
chased leaders, reminder and went 3rd after 6th, ridden and went 2nd before the last, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
off the pace in 5th, weakened tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before next
off the pace towards rear, outpaced before 6th, disputing well held 5th and no chance when blundered last, tailed off
off the pace towards rear, not fluent 1st, blundered 7th, tailed off
It's no surprise to find SABBATHICAL turning out quickly under a penalty after a demolition job at Leicester and he'll be going up by much more than the 7lb extra he carries here. The heavy ground probably played a part that day but he'll be very difficult to beat. Bertie Blake was well supported here last month and backers never had a moment's concern as he came home 16 lengths clear. That was his first ever victory over timber and he's 12lb higher but looks certain to give a good account. Go As You Please stayed on nicely over slightly shorter at Warwick, his first sign of ability over hurdles, while Dolly's Dot ran well here last weekend and has been dropped 2lb. Ex S'elance bounced back to form at Wetherby but will need a bit more here.
Sabbathical (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader led after 4th, headed after 4 out, left in lead again next, drew clear before last, easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Thoor Castle (11-12) by 15l, 9 ran.
The Very Thing (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Close up, pushed along and lost touch 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Artichoke Heart 14-1 (11-8) Chased leader, led after 5th, carried wide by loose horse on bend soon after, headed and pushed along in 3rd after 3 out, weakened quickly, 8th of 11, dist behind That's My Dubai (10-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Goldslinger (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Held up and behind, progress on outside approaching 3 out, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on towards finish, 4th of 12, 12l behind Roxyfet (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Ex S'elance (FR) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, headway 4 out, chased winner after next, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 11, 7l behind Pola Chance (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Bertie Blake (IRE) 9-4fav (10-0) Made virtually all, pushed clear after 3 out, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Titus Bolt (11-12) by 16l, 11 ran.
Go As You Please (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, plugged on into 2nd run-in, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 6l behind Galtee Mountain (10-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Magnum (IRE) 40-1 (8-12) Slowly into stride, soon mid-division, closed over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 10, 10 3/4l behind Coral Queen (9-5) at Newcastle 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Phantom Isle 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced before 3 out, never able to challenge, 9th of 19, 17 1/2l behind Final Reminder (11-4) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in May.
Dolly's Dot (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Held up in touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed when hit last, soon beaten, 2nd of 12, 7 1/2l behind Roxyfet (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
