held up, headway when hampered 9th, not fluent 12th, challenged approaching 2 out, led before last, headed flat, led again towards finish
tracked leaders, led 4th until 5th, led 6th until 7th, led 9th, ridden and headed approaching last, led flat, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, lost place when hampered 9th, struggling from next
led until 4th, led 5th until 6th, led 7th, headed when fell 9th
tracked leaders on outside, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
prominent until mistake 2nd, held up, outpaced 10th, rallied into 3rd appraoching 2 out, switched right flat, stayed on
tracked leaders, mistake 9th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
MARKED MAN continues to defy the years, winning over 3m1f here last time. He holds a verdict over Keltic Lord from last year and the handicapper hasn't been over-harsh on Richard Lee's veteran, who is fancied to score again. Pingaro De La Vire won three times between the flags last season so it will be interesting to see how he gets on under Rules though, like Ukrainian Star, lacks a recent run. Hever Road has every chance on his latest second at Uttoxeter, however, and Sir Bumble could also go close if reproducing his best form.
Pingaro De La Vire (FR) (12-0) Hdwy 12; led app 2 out; sn clr, won at Tweseldown 3m ptp gd in Mar beating Ghonny Withthebowe (12-0) by 10l, 12 ran.
Marked Man (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged 11th, soon led, hit 14th, headed approaching 2 out, soon led again, stayed on gamely, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in Oct beating Overton Lad (10-10) by 3l, 6 ran.
Ukrainian Star (IRE) 9-2fav (11-8) Led to 6th, with leader, lost place 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 17, well behind Bernard (10-6) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Keltic Lord 5-1 (11-6) Hit 1st, led next, headed 7th, led again next, headed after 9th, led again 10th, hit next, soon headed, close 3rd when mistake and unseated rider 13th, in a race won by Marked Man (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) fm in Oct, 6 ran.
Sir Bumble (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 4th 12th, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 24l behind Colditz (10-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Oct.
Hever Road (IRE) 6-1 (9-12) Mostly tracked leader until 12th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Dont Tell Sailor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Oct.
Mr Ironman 40-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 8th until next, ridden after 14th, weakened 4 out, last of 6, 40l behind Dont Tell Sailor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp 0-100 (5) gf in Oct.
