led until after 4th, chased winner, led again 7th until 9th, pushed along when blundered and lost 2nd 2 out, weakened before the last
raced keenly, tracked leader, led after 4th until 7th, led again 9th, clear from 2 out, stayed on well, finished lame
tracked leading pair on inside, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on winner, dropped to 3rd at the last, no extra
refused to race and took no part
held up 4th, not fluent 3rd, travelling well before 3 out, chasing leading pair when rider dropped reins between last 2, went 2nd and hit last, kept on run-in, just held
Nonrunner
Kap West is feasibly treated on his return from a lengthy absence but might just need the run. Definitely Better and CHANCE ENCOUNTER have only been off the course since the turn of the year and both usually race against better opposition than this. Linda Blackford's charge has taken well to fences and, though 10lb higher than when winning at Wincanton in December, looks the one to beat as Green Du Ciel continues to pass up easier chances than this. Cool Bob's latest third at Towcester extended his winless run to 53 races in all spheres.
Definitely Better (IRE) 10-3 (10-3) Held up tracking leading trio, not fluent 5th (water) went 3rd before 4 out, no chance next, 3rd of 4, 40l behind Our Cat (10-1) at Exeter 2m 3f mares nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Chance Encounter (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression in modest 4th from next, 4th of 8, 27l behind Minella Definitely (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Green Du Ciel (FR) 5-1 (10-6) Mid-division, chased leaders before 4 out, led 3 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Isthereadifference (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd.
Khazium (IRE) 7-2 (10-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, stumbled badly 4th, soon in rear and detached, pulled up before 6 out, in a race won by Red Whisper (10-10) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs, 5 ran.
Cool Bob (IRE) 9-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway 6th, mistake 9th, not fluent 3 out, went 3rd when bumped 2 out, mistake last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Wicklewood (11-11) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.
Kap West (FR) 7-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, jumped right from 10th, closed in 3rd from 12th, mistake 14th, every chance briefly soon after last, stayed on same pace and no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Days Of Pleasure (10-8) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Oct '13.
