prominent, led 13th, headed before 4 out, no extra 2 out, lost 4th close home
prominent until after 3rd, chased leaders, stumbled slightly 10th, slow next, ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner, lost 2nd last
chased leaders, led before 4 out, clear 3 out, stayed on
held up in rear, hit 4 out, soon not clear run, closed on outside 3 out, went 2nd from last, ran on, no impression on winner
towards rear, some headway on outside 13th, lost place 4 out, well held 3 out
mid-division on outside, not always fluent, closed racing keenly 9th, mistake 13th, weakening when mistake 3 out
in rear, behind from 10th
led, jumped right 1st, headed 13th, outpaced before 3 out, kept on flat, went 4th towards finish
Step Back, a smart staying chaser in his day, lost both front shoes when pulled up on his hunter chase debut at Wincanton and shouldn’t be written off just yet. A winner at Ludlow and Cheltenham last spring, Solomon Grey usually needs a run but can’t be ignored. Not That Fuisse finished ahead of the latter at Stratford last May and made a winning reappearance at Wetherby while From The Heart is unbeaten in points this season. I K BRUNEL hasn’t had much racing and won an Open at Larkhill in November having a first run for Alan Hill. He has plenty of scope in this sphere with Lakota Warrior also largely unexposed over regulation fences. Diligent has won nine times under Rules but hasn’t run since May last year.
Diligent (FR) 11-2 (12-7) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, quickly beaten, 4th of 5, 14 1/2l behind Ask Paddington (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in May.
From The Heart (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) (cp) led to 4; led 8; hrd prsd 15; clr 2 out; comf, won at Wadebridge 3m sft in Jan beating Say About It (11-7) by 10l, 10 ran.
I K Brunel 7-2 (11-0) A.p; led 2 out; drvn out, won at Larkhill 3m gd in Nov beating Grageelagh Girl (10-7) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 11-8fav (12-6) Raced keenly in touch, prominent 7th, led 12th, shaken up travelling strongly before last, ridden run-in and stayed on well, readily, won at Wetherby 3m (5) gs in Feb beating Moratorium (11-12) by 3l, 6 ran.
Solomon Grey (FR) 11-1 (12-0) Mid-division, not fluent 1st or 2nd, headway 7th, close enough in 4th 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 31l behind Vaucelet (12-0) at Stratford 3m 4f (2) gd in May.
Lakota Warrior (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Hdwy 11; went 2nd 13; led & blun last; rallied flat; just failed, 2nd of 7, nk behind Millbank Flyer (11-9) at Milborne St Andrew 3m gd in Jan.
Golden Poet (IRE) 6-1 (12-10) (bl) hdwy 5; lft 2nd 8; nt qckn 2 out, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Eric The Third (12-6) at Umberleigh 3m fm in Jun.
Step Back (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Disputed lead, headed 2nd, lost second 4th, nudged along 6th, dropped to rear 8th, lost touch when pulled up after 12th, at Wincanton 3m 1f (6) gs in Feb.
