led, clear until before 3rd, headed 3 out, soon lost place, well beaten before 2 out
chased clear leader, closed before 3rd, close up when not fluent 2 out, ridden and unable to quicken when switched right before last, no impression, soon well beaten
held up, took keen hold, closed 2nd, challenged next, led 3 out, jumped right last, headed towards finish
mid-division, headway approaching 2 out, challenging when bumped last, led towards finish
held up, took keen hold, headway on outside 3 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on same pace flat
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, not much room soon after hurdle, close 3rd last, unable to quicken flat
held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, disputing close 3rd when mistake last, no impression after
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place after 3 out, closed before next, weakened approaching last
The Pier looked to be on the way back at Newbury at the weekend while Jumps Road won here last month, though will find this more difficult off a 7lb higher mark. Suerte Al Salto has been knocking on the door and was only beaten a length in a novices' handicap over track and trip last time while Towcester winner If In Doubt looks progressive, though hasn't been done any favours by the handicapper. He does, however, appear to have the beating of Chesil Beach Boy on collateral form. DRAGON'S DEN has a bit to find with Jumps Road on latest running but this is his time of year and the better ground will also suit - he could be the value in an open race.
Tiger O'Toole (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, well beaten after 7th, tailed off, last of 14, dis behind Medinas (10-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f ltd hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
If In Doubt (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Towcester 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Viva Steve (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 16 ran.
Chesil Beach Boy 13-2 (10-12) Pulled hard, held up in touch, headway to 2nd 4 out until ridden before 2 out, soon no chance with leading trio, 4th of 6, 9l behind Barizan (10-9) at Taunton 2m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Jumps Road 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, led before 2 out, driven out, won at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb beating Headly's Bridge (11-1) by 1l, 11 ran.
The Pier (IRE) 7-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 4th last, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Meganisi (10-10) at Newbury 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (3) gs.
Suerte Al Salto (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place briefly on outside after 3 out, soon closed, led after 2 out, wandered into last where mistake, headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1l behind In The Crowd (10-2) at Wincanton 2m Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-130) (4yo+) (3) gs in Feb.
Dragon's Den (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, not much room on bend before 3rd, lost place when not fluent 3 out, some progress when not fluent 2 out, one pace last, 5th of 11, 14l behind Jumps Road (11-0) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Feb.
Mighty Monty 10-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Stars Du Granits (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
