made all, pressed 2 out, kept on well from last
tracked clear pair, ridden 2 out, no impression
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
tracked winner, challenged 2 out, kept on and always held run-in
behind, headway 4 out to go 4th, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along 3 out, plugged on to go 4th after last, never dangerous
always towards rear
Nonrunner
Gordon Elliott has sent a strong team over today and his Crown Theatre will be fancied to complete the hat-trick after victories at Downpatrick and Wexford. But he has to give 4lb to SPICULAS, which might be beyond him. Keith Reveley's gelding is less exposed and couldn't have won any more easily at Kelso last month. Salto Chisco is returning from a year on the sidelines but has been well backed in both starts over hurdles so far and preferred to the disappointing Fly Home Harry. Smooth Stepper has been third in a couple of bumpers but is probably best watched on his first try over timber.
Spiculas (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led from 2nd, clear from 3 out, kept on strongly, won at Kelso 2m NH mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Another Mattie (10-7) by 8l, 10 ran.
Fly Home Harry 16-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 44l behind Otago Trail (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Ifonlywecud (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, weakened before 4 out, 11th of 15, 50l behind Pay The King (10-7) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Proud Gamble (IRE) Brian Boru gelding out of Sister Anna.
Salto Chisco (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Held up in touch, chased leader after 2nd, led before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon headed, rallied after last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 6, 4 1/2l behind Another Hero (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Nov '13.
Sir Safir 10-1 (10-9) Held up mid-division and keen, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 7th of 10, 29l behind Monbeg Theatre (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Feb.
Smooth Stepper 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway over 3f out, kept on to take 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 11, 9l behind Professor Plum (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Watchmego 100-1 (9-7) Prominent until 4th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Spanish Fleet (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft, 12 ran.
Crown Theatre (IRE) 9-4fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway into 4th 5 out, led after 4 out, headed before 2 out, improved to lead again before last, soon clear, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Wexford 2m 1f beg chs gd in Oct beating Sin Miedo (10-13) by 3l, 7 ran.
Treliver Manor (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 32l behind Roserrow (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
