held up last, headway 12th, led on bit approaching 4 out, eased clear from 3 out, comfortably
led to 2nd, with leader until led 7th, not fluent 8th, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
chased leader, ridden 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
with leader to led and mistake 2nd, headed 7th, mistake 10th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, pecked 3rd, ridden and headway approaching 4 out, chased leader approaching 3 out, no extra
The lightly raced Raregem won with plenty in hand in a similar contest at Leicester last month and is taken to follow up at the main expense of Trade Off and Viscount Bankes. The last mentioned, a winner at Huntingdon in May, is entitled to come on for his reappearance at Stratford last month but needs to if he is to trouble the selection. The Kings Fling has recent winning point-to-point form but lacks any decent rules form so may be best watched, while Gudlage has not shown enough in points of late to merit support. Trade Off is capable and has to be respected representing the yard of Sally Alner that does well with their runners in this grade but Raregem has an obvious chance and he gets the vote.
Raregem 2-1fav (11-7) Held up, headway 8th, led 3 out, clear last, comfortably, won at Leicester 2m 4f hts chs (5) sft in Feb beating Bill Haze (11-7) by 24l, 9 ran.
Trade Off (IRE) 2-1 (12-7) 3rd of 7, 17l behind Handyman (12-0) at Milborne St Andr 3m ptp gd in Feb.
Viscount Bankes 14-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, chased winner from halfway, no impression from 5 out, 2nd of 8, well behind Abalvino (11-7) at Southwell 2m 4f hts chs (6) sft in Feb.
Gudlage (USA) 11-4 (11-0) 2nd of 7, 5l behind Twilight Dancer (10-7) at Black Forest Ldg 3m ptp frm in Jan.
The Kings Fling 6-4fav (12-0) won at 3m ptp gd in Feb beating Chaucers Miller (12-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
