behind, driven and headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on under pressure approaching last, no impression
led to 3rd, soon driven to stay in touch, lost place 6th, no danger after
in touch, reminders 5th, lost place 7th, effort to chase leaders before 3 out, weakened from next
held up on outside, headway 7th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, reminders 6th, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten
behind and early reminders, lost touch 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
raced keenly, soon in touch, led 2 out, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 2 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression approaching last
chased leader, lost place approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Deadline has not raced over hurdles since December but comes here fit from the flat and he has to be considered but he may struggle to give weight away all round here and, in receipt of 22lbs, a better bet looks to be RAS LAFFAN, who gets the verdict ahead of Sprinkler. Chris Thornton's mare has been given a chance by the handicapper and can now race off a career low mark so has to be considered but needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge. Bonny Bright Eyes was nothing out of the ordinary on the flat and seems to be no better over timber so looks best watched and of more interest may be Finlay's Footsteps. George Moore's gelding was well held at Newcastle last time but his earlier form in two starts at Catterick gives him every chance in this company and he rates the main danger to the selection, Ras Laffan. Don McCain's gelding fell early on at Catterick last time but his previous starts at the same venue were solid and, with the stable continuing to churn out plenty of winners, he looks the one they all have to beat.
Deadline (UAE) 11-4 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance last, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Titfer (10-7) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Finlay's Footsteps 13-2 (11-6) Behind, reminders 7th, kept on from 2 out, never near leaders, 4th of 16, 33l behind Oh Yah Dancer (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Moon Melody (GER) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 11, 41l behind Bonneta (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Troys Steps 16-1 (11-3) In touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 32l behind Viscount Rossini (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Ras Laffan 11-4fav (10-5) Held up when fell 5 out in race won by Alloro (11-7) at Catterick 2m 3f ldy hcp hdl (5) gs in Feb, 16 ran.
Petrichan (IRE) 18-1 (9-11) In rear, ridden halfway, tailed off from 6th, 9th of 10, well behind Galaxy Rock (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Pugnacity 150-1 (10-7) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Moonlight Music (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Bonny Bright Eyes 33-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, weakening when hit 3 out, 7th of 14, 38l behind Noticeable (11-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Feb.
Cuccinello (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Mistake 1st, held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 8, 47l behind Naval Attache (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gd.
Sprinkler 7-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 14, 9l behind Breaking Storm (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
