chased leader until before 13th, soon driven along and outpaced next, struggling 16th, tailed off
led, not fluent 7th, better jump when joined 4 out, narrowly headed when badly bumped and lost all momentum 3 out, not recover
keen, tended to jump right, chased leading pair, went 2nd 13th, driven after 17th, tried to challenge when jumped slowly 4 out, narrow lead when went badly right and cannoned into runner up 3 out, soon clear, went right last 2
Nonrunner
Fast ground suits ANDREW NICK and he is fancied to see out this trip better than former stablemate Nikola, who drops in class but has pulled up in both starts since finishing an honourable second to Frankie Figg in the Grand Sefton Chase over the National fences at Aintree in November. Cashel Blue has been in decent form over the winter and won't be far away again but it's hard to fancy the one-paced Cullahill from 4lb out of the handicap.
Andrew Nick (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) With leader, led 2nd, headed narrowly 7th, led again before 12th, headed 14th, lost place and reminders before 16th, soon struggling, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Money Order (10-10) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Feb.
Cashel Blue (USA) 85-40fav (10-13) Led, not fluent 16th, hit 19th, headed next, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 23l behind Cold Mountain (11-9) at Taunton 4m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Cullahill (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Led, jumped right, clear after 6th until 13th, headed 15th, well held in 4th from 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 5, 20l behind Estates Recovery (11-4) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
Nikola (FR) 20-1 (11-7) In touch main group, lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Swing Bill (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Feb, 9 ran.
