close up, led from 4th, headed after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon weakened
led to 4th, remained close up until blundered 9th, tracked leaders in 3rd, led after 4 out, clear before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd after 9th, chased winner from 2 out, kept on and no impression
towards rear, pushed along and not fluent 11th, soon lost place, soon reminders and weakened, pulled up before 6 out
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, pushed along before 13th, weakened before 4 out
in rear, pushed along after 12th, headway from 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace
Nonrunner
MIDNIGHT REQUEST has really found his form on better ground and jumped superbly when making all at Exeter last week. He should be up to defying a penalty with his stable in such good form. Sky Watch was badly out of sorts at the backend of last year though he's another who should appreciate the quicker ground but Ballyvoneen hardly ever wins away from Plumpton and his best form has been in more testing conditions. The veteran Prince Des Marais is just 2lb higher than his victory at Stratford in October on good going and Sean Bowen can claim his 5lb allowance.
Sky Watch (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, made lots of mistakes, reminder 6th, ridden 12th, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 28l behind Jupiter Rex (11-6) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Midnight Request 2-1fav (11-4) Led until 5th, pressed leader, led again after 7th until before 11th, led again 14th, came clear from 4 out, very easily, won at Exeter 3m 5yo nov hcp (4) gs beating Magical Man (10-3) by 8l, 13 ran.
Ballyvoneen (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Chased clear leading pair but not on terms, tried to close 10th, ridden and struggling after next, tailed off soon after, lost remote 3rd run-in, 4th of 5, well behind Ringa Bay (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f 5yo Am hcp 0-115 (4) hvy in Feb.
Black Lily (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, reminder after 11th, weakened next, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Finish The Story (11-9) at Southwell 3m 2f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
According To Them (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up, ridden 12th, pulled up 14th, in a race won by Red Anchor (10-1) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs, 7 ran.
That's The Deal (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Close up, hampered when unseated rider 5 out, in a race won by Lord Fox (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd, 8 ran.
Prince Des Marais (FR) 20-1 (11-12) With leader early, mid-division, outpaced before 5 out, 4th of 7, 24l behind Less Time (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
