made all, 3 lengths clear after last, idled flat, just held on
held up mid-division, headway 10th, challenged 3 out, stayed on from last, just held
chased winner, one pace from 4 out
held up, pushed along after 9th, behind when blundered and unseated rider 12th
chased leaders, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, outpaced when fell 10th
mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened 12th
behind, pushed along after 8th, never dangerous
in touch, prominent 4th, pushed along approaching 8, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon lost pace
held up in touch, fell 9th
always behind, struggling halfway, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, pushed along and lost place after 6th, pulled up before 10th
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
ROSS LEADER is our call in this chase with Kilfinnan Castle and Sound Of Cheers as the alternatives. The veteran had been struggling in softer ground earlier in the season but a switch to a shorter trip on genuinely good going has made all the difference and with Ian Popham taking off a valuable 7lb, we believe that he is capable of following up. Kilfinnan Castle won readily at Fontwell last time out. A 13lb rise for that rise appears harsh but it is worth noting that he had got in off 67 for that race. Sound Of Cheers is another with veteran status. He tries hard in spite of obvious ability though may need the handicapper to loosen the grip a little more. Barton Sun is a regular in plating contests and is often well backed. Italiano would be a certainty on some of his old form. Regrettably, his yard are having a season to forget. Salhood has obvious claims in this grade although he is not without a certain reluctance in a battle. One Of The Boys had shown an aptitude for this surface earlier in his career so watch the market this afternoon. Ross Leader gets the vote.
Ross Leader (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leader, led 4th, clear from 3 out, won at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Stockton Flyer (11-4) by 14l, 12 ran.
Silver Steel (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Raced keenly, mid-division, hit 4th, headway after 5th, weakened approaching last, 4th of 18, 31l behind Moonlight Music (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m nov sll hdl (5) hvy in Feb.
Physical Force 14-1 (10-8) Chased leaders to 8th, soon outpaced, no danger after, 8th of 15, 34l behind Player (11-9) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Italiano 11-1 (10-8) Behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 22l behind Super Baby (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan.
One of The Boys (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, blundered 10th, mistake 4 out, stumbled 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 14, well behind Donald Will Do (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Feb.
Killfinnan Castle (IRE) 4-1 (10-0) Held up, steady headway approaching 10th, led approaching 3 out, clear when not fluent last, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs beating Rosoff (11-7) by 11l, 9 ran.
Sound Of Cheers 28-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 9th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 27l behind Stagecoach Amber (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd.
Barton Sun (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up behind, headway from 3 out, chase leading pair after last, kept along, 3rd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Kercabellec (FR) 50-1 (9-11) With leader, led 3rd, headed 7th, reminders 12th, weakened next, 9th of 11, 43l behind Ballyvaden (11-9) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Day du Roy (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 4 out, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by It's Like That (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Sarahs Gift (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division when fell in race won by Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 12 ran.
Long Road (USA) 40-1 (10-9) Held up, pushed along 6th, weakened 5 out, 7th of 10, 22l behind Prophete de Guye (11-5) at Southwell 2m cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Feb.
Wild Chimes (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) (cp) a bhnd; t.o & pulled up in race won by Narciso (11-0) at Witton Castle 3m ptp gd in Feb, 11 ran.
Per Amore (IRE) 150-1 (10-4) Held up, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Ross Leader (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 12 ran.
Salhood 15-2 (11-12) Led to 4th, with leader, lost place approaching 4 out, soon weakened, last of 6, 43l behind Glimmer of Light (9-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
