held up in rear, pushed along and struggling in 6th after 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 17th
prominent on outside, went left 2nd, lost place next, dropped to rear approaching 7th, rallied 12th, chased leaders 15th, chased winner next, led before 3 out, 3 lengths ahead when slowed into last and headed, rallied but not time to recover
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, mistake next, lost 2nd 15th, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
led, mistake 8th, headed next, chased leaders, mistake and lost 2nd 16th, chased leading pair until approaching next, poor 4th when pulled up before 3 out
held up, progress into 4th at 11th, chased leading pair 17th, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, well held in 3rd
chased leader until 5th, chased leading pair, mistake and reminder after 7th, hit 14th, led 9th, ridden and headed before 3 out, 3 lengths down and looked held before jumped into lead again last, driven out
chased leaders, mistake and reminders 4th, reminders 8th, dropped to last and strugging after 14th, soon pulled up
Grove Pride has yet to prove he stays this far though he performed with credit in a better class race at Exeter last month. Prince Tom has no problems with the trip but prefers quicker ground unlike Monkerty Tunkerty, who ploughed through the Wincanton mud to land a similar handicap in January. He had little chance in a better handicap from an 8lb higher mark later and this is more his grade. Kasbadali didn't run badly in that latter event but this is a severe test for Ballybough Pat on only his third start over regulation fences. It's unusual to see one of Paul Nicholls' at the bottom of a handicap but BUCK'S BOND, though very moderate, stays the trip well and appears to have got over his jumping problems so he's handed the vote in a tricky contest.
Prince Tom 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 4th, ridden 16th, fell next, in a race won by Pantxoa (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gf in Oct, 9 ran.
Monkerty Tunkerty 9-1 (10-4) Soon behind and struggling, lost touch, 9th, pulled up before 11th, in a race won by Soll (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f hcap ch (2) gs in Feb, 12 ran.
Kasbadali (FR) 8-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 13th, one pace 4 out, jumped right and no impression next, 6th of 14, 19l behind Soll (10-8) at Exeter 3m hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Ballybough Pat (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, went wide on approach to 9th, mistake 13th, blundered 14th, mistake next, soon well behind, pulled up before 17th, in a race won by No Duffer (11-8) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
Upham Atom 33-1 (10-4) Prominent, not fluent 6th, lost place before next, behind 4 out, 7th of 14, well behind The Tourard Man (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Grove Pride 10-1 (10-0) Mid-division, closed 5th, mistake 9th, one pace 3 out, went 3rd and stayed on flat, 3rd of 14, 8l behind Soll (10-8) at Exeter 3m hcap ch (2) gs in Feb.
Buck's Bond (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Prominent, on outside, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Loch Ba (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
