not always fluent, with leader until after 7th, 2nd again from next, challenged 12th, led after 4 out, narrow advantage when fell 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd after 7th until next, mistake and unseated rider 10th
led, not fluent 12th, headed after 4 out, every chance when badly hampered 3 out, 4th lengths 2nd after, closed on idling winner towards finish
held up in last, not fluent 9th, left 3rd next, not fluent 4 out, 4 lengths off front pair when left in lead 3 out, idled flat, pushed out
Fighter Commander beat VAZARO DELAFAYETTE by seven lengths at Huntingdon last month and is only a pound worse off. But the latter ruined his chance that day by pulling hard and veering badly left at his fences. He was also a little wayward at the same track next time but gradually warmed to his task and ran out an easy winner. There is more to come from David Pipe's French import, who can defy his penalty. Nitrogen is sure to improve on his UK debut at Newbury and should also go well while course and distance winner Sandy Beach rarely runs a bad race. Royale Django, however, looks to have too much weight.
Royale Django (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, tracked leaders 5 out, effort 3 out, left 2nd briefly when sprawled on landing 2 out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair from last, 3rd of 8, 12 1/2l behind Another Hero (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Sandy Beach 3-1 (10-9) Tracked leader until 3rd, in touch after, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd from after 2 out, edged left and no impression flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Pressurize (10-3) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Fight Commander (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 12th, led after 4 out, clear 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on, won at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Kap Jazz (11-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
Vazaro Delafayette (FR) 13-8fav (11-6) Very hesitant and behind 1st, not fluent 4th, headway 11th, led 2 out, clear flat, easily, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Here I Am (11-5) by 11l, 7 ran.
Nitrogen (IRE) 6-1jfav (10-8) Held up in rear, not much room 4th, not fluent 11th, headway approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 12, 7 1/4l behind Spookydooky (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
